Jack Leach to miss Pakistan Tests with broken thumb

Jack Leach, the left-arm spinner, has broken his left thumb, ruling him out of contention for England's Tests against Pakistan.

He was batting in the nets before the fourth and final day of Somerset's Division One match against Hampshire at Taunton when the injury occurred, the county side confirmed on Monday 14 May.

"It's too early to know how long he will be out for at the moment," the club said.

Leach, who made his Test debut against New Zealand earlier this year, impressed the selectors with his bowling, returning match figures of 2/113.

The injury blow gave the England selectors, who are set to announce the squad on Tuesday, a new headache. They had dropped Moeen Ali, who was struggling with form, and gave Leach an opportunity in the Christchurch Test against New Zealand.

England have another spin-bowling option in Mason Crane, who played his first Test in the final Ashes match in Sydney in January, but he too is recovering from a stress fracture in his back.

Amar Virdi, Surrey's off-spinner, who has had an impressive county season, taking 17 wickets in four matches at 19.64, is another player in contention.