England spinner Jack Leach ruled out of Ashes vs Australia due to stress fracture

Jack Leach has been ruled out of the upcoming Ashes series due to stress fracture, according to the England Cricket Board.

England spinner Jack Leach has been ruled out of the five-match Ashes series against Australia due to a stress fracture in his back, the country's cricket board (ECB) said on Sunday. Leach, who took four wickets in England's 10-wicket win over Ireland in a one-off test earlier this week, has been an ever-present in England's squad under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, claiming 46 test wickets last year.

Jack Leach in action for England.(Action Images via Reuters)

He was included in the 16-man squad for the first two Ashes tests announced by England on Saturday. Leach's injury is the latest major setback to England's bowling department in the build-up to the series, with fast bowler Jofra Archer also ruled out.

"The 31-year-old Somerset slow left-armer developed low back symptoms during England's victory over Ireland on Saturday," the ECB said in a statement.

“A scan on Sunday in London has revealed a stress fracture, which will keep him out of the forthcoming Ashes test series ... England will announce a replacement for the Ashes series in due course.” The Ashes gets under way at Edgbaston on June 16.