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England spinner Leach ruled out of Ashes / Photo: © AFP
England spinner Leach ruled out of Ashes
England's Ashes preparations were dealt a blow on Sunday as frontline spinner Jack Leach was ruled out of the series due to a lower back stress fracture.
The 31-year-old developed the injury as England wrapped up victory in a lone Test against Ireland on Saturday.
"A scan on Sunday in London has revealed a stress fracture, which will keep him out of the forthcoming Ashes Test series," the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement.
No replacement for the Somerset left-armer has been announced, but Leach's absence leaves a big gap to fill for the selectors for the showdown against Australia.
The first Test of the Ashes gets underway on June 16 at Edgbaston.
S. Sokolow--BTZ
