Moeen Ali to return for Ashes after retirement

Moeen Ali has reversed his decision to retire from Test cricket and will be included in England’s squad for the first two Ashes Tests against Australia.

The all-rounder, who retired from Test cricket at the end of the 2021 season, has been called up after Jack Leach was ruled out of the series with a stress fracture in his back.Ali, 34, has taken 195 wickets in 64 Tests and scored 2,914 runs at an average of 28.29. He is England’s second-highest wicket-taker in Asia and has a good record against Australia, with 29 wickets at 24.41.

“We reached out to Mo early this week about returning to Test cricket,” said England’s managing director of men’s cricket, Rob Key.

“Having had a couple of days to reflect, Mo is excited to join the squad and play Test cricket again. His vast experience, along with his all-round ability, will benefit our Ashes campaign.”Ali will be available for the first two Tests of the series, which start at Edgbaston on June 16 and Lord’s on June 28.

Leach is expected to be available for the third Test at Headingley on July 6.

The full England squad for the first two Ashes Tests is:

* Ben Stokes (captain)

* Moeen Ali

* James Anderson

* Jonathan Bairstow

* Stuart Broad

* Harry Brook

* Zak Crawley

* Ben Duckett

* Dan Lawrence

* Ollie Pope

* Matthew Potts

* Ollie Robinson

* Joe Root

* Josh Tongue

* Chris Woakes

* Mark Wood

The Ashes schedule is as follows:

* First Test: Edgbaston, June 16-20

* Second Test: Lord’s, June 28-July 2

* Third Test: Headingley, July 6-10

* Fourth Test: Old Trafford, July 19-23

* Fifth Test: The Oval, July 27-31