England drop spinner Moeen, opt for Tongue at Lord’s

England will go without a frontline spinner for the second Ashes Test at Lord’s after calling seamer Josh Tongue into the team to replace Moeen Ali.

Moeen battled a badly blistered finger throughout the first Test at Edgbaston and was limited to bowling just seven overs on the final day as Australia chased down 281.

The decision to leave Moeen out at Lord’s means Joe Root will act as England’s sole spinner.

Tongue’s call up means England have also opted against picking the out-and-out pace of Mark Wood for a second straight Test.

Tongue’s selection comes after he made his debut against Ireland earlier this month, taking 5-66 in the second innings at Lord’s.

The 25-year-old created headlines in May when he trapped Steve Smith lbw in the Australian star’s first county game against Worcestershire ahead of the Ashes.

Marnus Labuschagne also compared him to Scott Boland after coming up against him early in the county season.

“I saw some footage yesterday of him bowling and I thought there was a lot of Scott Boland about his action,” Labuschagne said earlier this month.

“The way he runs in. The angle he creates at the crease.

“He’s a nice bowler. I played against him earlier this year in Cardiff and he was very good.”

Tongue’s return for Moeen is the only change to England’s side, with Ben Duckett holding onto his spot at the top of the order and Jonny Bairstow retaining the gloves.