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HomeSportsCricketSunak ‘confident’ of England’s Ashes chances

Sunak ‘confident’ of England’s Ashes chances

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Prime minister Rishi Sunak has backed England’s cricketers to regain the Ashes from Australia – but expressed alarm at an injury crisis in the bowling department.

Sunak was briefing reporters on his plane en route to Washington, where he attended a baseball game last Wednesday (7).

He did not pitch the ceremonial first ball when the Washington Nationals took on the Arizona Diamondbacks – sparing his blushes if the throw went astray.

The honour went to a UK military veteran, who Sunak said was more fitting for the occasion and celebration of US-UK relations.

“As you guys know, my sport is more cricket than baseball in any case,” Sunak said. “When it comes to pitching/bowling, I’m more focused on who’s going to replace Jack Leach for the Ashes, which is more the concerning issue on my mind at the moment.”

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The spinner has been ruled out of the Ashes with a back injury, which led to a shock recall for Moeen Ali.

Asked who he would’ve picked, Sunak replied: “That’s tough. Either the SOS for Moeen Ali, or indeed that 18-year-old who played that one Test… who had that one unbelievable game.”

He was referring to the raw but promising teenager Rehan Ahmed.

But the prime minister added: “I’m very confident. They (England bowlers) managed to get me bowled out in the garden at Downing Street, so they’re in good nick.

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