'Ek Takle ke badle doosra Takla!' - Fans react as Moeen Ali comes out of Test retirement to replace injured Jack Leach for Ashes 2023

Moeen Ali to replace Jack Leach, England, Ashes 2023 (Source: Twitter)

The 73rd Ashes series will pit England and Australia against one another beginning on June 16. But first, on June 7 at The Oval, the Kangaroos will play India in the World Test Championship final (WTC), hoping to win before moving on to the storied Ashes series.

Star all-rounder Moeen Ali has been added to England's squad for the first two Ashes Tests, which begin on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Edgbaston. It's interesting to note that Moeen had quit playing red-ball cricket internationally over two years prior, but he decided to come back for the Australia series after fellow spin bowler Jack Leach was forced to withdraw due to injury.

‘Mo is excited to join the squad and play Test cricket again’ - Rob Key

Rob Key, the managing director of England Men's Cricket, said that they had contacted Moeen earlier in the week and that after giving it some thought, he is excited to return to Test cricket. Moeen's experience and all-around skills, in Key's opinion, will be beneficial for England's Ashes campaign.

“We reached out to Mo (Moeen Ali) early this week about returning to Test cricket. 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. We wish Mo and the rest of the squad well for the Ashes campaign.” said Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket.

Here is England’s updated Ashes squad:Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley,  Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Stuart Broad, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Moeen Ali.

5-Test Ashes schedule:

1st Test: England v Australia, 16-20 June, Edgbaston, Birmingham

2nd Test: England v Australia, 28 June-2 July, Lord’s, London

3rd Test: England v Australia, 6-10 July, Headingley, Leeds

4th Test: England v Australia, 19-23 July, Old Trafford, Manchester

5th Test: England v Australia, 27-31 Oval, London

Here’s how fans reacted:

Yeh bhrwe retirement lete kyu hai phir

— Shaurya (@Kohli_Dewotee) June 7, 2023

Shahid Afridi 2.O

— Aryan 45 🇮🇳 (@Iconic_Rohit) June 7, 2023

Takla replace takla nice strategy 👍

— Stuud  (@Stuud_Souren) June 7, 2023

Wowww Moo 💛💛

— Bro (@ParodyEvrything) June 7, 2023

Rashes

— Vinay Tiwari (@VinayTiwari69) June 7, 2023

Ye naya afridi hai

— . (@Raghav226943861) June 7, 2023

Iska retirement lene ka or vapas Ane ka khatam hi nahi ho Raha hai😂😂😂

— BHAVESH PARMAR (@BHAVESH14970660) June 7, 2023

Nowadays retirement be like - apni to koi kadar hi nhi hai

— Abdul Lateef. (@ABDUL_X_VIRAT) June 7, 2023