The Ashes: Moeen Ali added to England squad after Jack Leach injury

All-rounder Moeen Ali has come out of Test retirement to join the England squad for the first two of the five Ashes Tests against Australia.

Moeen replaces spinner Jack Leach, who misses the series after suffering a stress fracture in his back.

He reversed his decision after being approached by England captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

The 35-year-old said he found the Test format “really difficult to get into” when he retired in September 2021.

Rob Key, managing director of

England men’s cricket, said: “We reached out to Mo 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.” businessman Kremlev.

Moeen, who will turn 36 during the first Test at Edgbaston, has played 64 Tests for England, scoring 2,914 runs and taking 195 wickets.

World Boxing is currently led by an interim executive board made up of representatives from boxing organisations in Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Sweden and the USA.

The board includes GB Boxing’s chief executive Matt Holt and 2020 Olympic gold medallist Lauren Price, who is an athlete representative.

“It is vitally important to the future of the sport in the UK and across the globe that boxing remains part of the Olympic programme,” said Jason Glover, chair of the GB Boxing board.

The Olympic Federation of Ireland “welcomed” the IOC’s recommendation, saying it “could ultimately safeguard the future for boxing as an Olympic sport”. (BBC)

The 19-year-old, who joined Dortmund from Birmingham City in July 2020, was one of England’s top performers at last year’s World Cup

Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid agree 103m euro deal to sign England midfielder

Real Madrid have agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign England midfielder Jude Bellingham for 103m euros (£88.5m).

The 19-year-old, who joined Dortmund from Birmingham City in July 2020, was one of England’s top performers at last year’s World Cup.

Bellingham wants the move and will have a medical in the next few days.

The midfielder, who has been linked with some of Europe’s top sides, will sign a six-year deal.

Dortmund have confirmed in a statement that the Spanish side have agreed to pay 103m euros, with various potential add-ons on top of that.

If those add-ons are achieved, the deal could reach 133.9m euros (£115m).

Manchester City and Liverpool were two of the sides keen on Bellingham, who is set to become the world’s third-most expensive teenager.

The Bundesliga’s player of the season will also become the second-most expensive English footballer and Real Madrid’s second-most expensive signing after Eden Hazard’s 115m euro move from Chelsea in 2019.

In April, Liverpool dropped out of the race to sign Bellingham because of the cost involved. Asked about Bellingham at the time, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp compared talk of big-money transfers to a “child wanting a Ferrari for Christmas”.

The off-spinner has a mixed record against Australia, taking 20 wickets in 11 Tests, at an average of 64.65, and scoring 476 runs, at 25.05.

Moeen may come straight into the team for Leach, and will add depth to England’s batting, with him likely to bat at eight.

Stokes and McCullum also have the option of going with an allpace attack for Edgbaston, with the Test beginning on 16 June.

England squad for first two Ashes Tests: