Sunak ‘confident’ of England’s Ashes chances

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.”

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.