Jack Leach Is Personally Confident Of Doing Well Against India In 5 Tests

Aug 5, 2021 at 9:40 PM

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Jack Leach Is Personally Confident Of Doing Well Against India In 5 Tests

Jack Leach, England spinner feels his team’s performance against India in the upcoming five-match Test series will determine where it stands in terms of growth and he is personally confident of doing well, having played against them in an away assignment earlier this year.

The left-arm spinner had taken 18 wickets when England toured India in February and March this year. Jack Leach said his success in that series makes him confident of doing well in the upcoming contest, beginning at Trent Bridge in Nottingham from Wednesday, 4th August.

Jack Leach hasn't played a home Test in two years.
Jack Leach hasn’t played a home Test in two years.

Jack Leach Enjoys Bowling Spin In England And Is Confident Of Doing Well

England spinner Jack Leach hasn’t played a Test at home since the 2019 Ashes. The Somerset bowler hopes to find a place in England’s XI during the Test series against India starting Wednesday. Jack Leach, who missed out on the home series against the West Indies, Pakistan, and New Zealand, has played just 15 out of England’s 39 Tests since his debut in March 2018.

“The belief that I can bowl at these guys and do well,” Leach was quoted as saying by ‘The Guardian’ when asked what he can take from the tour of India.

England faces India in the first of a five-Test series at Trent Bridge starting on Wednesday, with Joe Root’s men looking to avenge their 3-1 reverse in the sub-continent earlier this year.

“If the wicket is better it is just adapting your skill slightly. I enjoy bowling spin in England. The wickets generally are quite dry and there is definitely a role to play. Playing against India, who are such a strong side, in a five Test-match series, will tell us a lot about where we’re at.”

Jack Leach
Jack Leach. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Jack Leach is keen to do well so that he can cement his place in the side, which is set to clash with Australia in the Ashes series later this year.

“I guess I’m still trying to work my way into the team on a consistent basis. That’s my main thought: making sure my game is in a good place so I can be in the team and performing consistently,” he said.

Jack Leach last played a Test in November 2019 against New Zealand before the Sri Lanka series in January 2021 and the India series in March 2021. He has picked 62 scalps in 16 Tests. In the last series he played against India, he picked 18 scalps averaging 28.72.

Jack Leach: England Team Supporting Ben Stokes In His Decision To Take A Break

Team’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes recently announced that he has taken an indefinite break to “prioritize his mental wellbeing”. It is believed that a few other players may also skip the series but Jack Leach is determined to compete.

“My way of doing things is taking one little part at a time and I’m very focused on this India series. If I don’t play well, might not be where I’m going in the winter (Australia). It’s about taking care of what is in front of you. “

“There’s been a little bit of chat (about families on tour) but through my experiences in the past, missing bits of cricket through illness or injury, I want to be doing everything I can to play for England, reach my potential and see what I can achieve at the highest level.”

Ben Stokes will not be available for England's Test series against India.© AFP
Ben Stokes will not be available for England’s Test series against India.© AFP’

“It’s something I’d be very excited about, Australia in Australia. It’s the ultimate test and something you grow up looking at and thinking: ‘Wow, it’s amazing.’ (But) I’ll just think about what’s in front of me: Test matches against India.”

Jack Leach though said the entire England team supports Ben Stokes in his decision.

“All the lads are behind Ben and supporting him where we can. He has shown courage and bravery to prioritise his mental health. He is a focal part of our team and we will miss him. His priority is to take some time out from the game to get better. We can’t wait to welcome him back in the near future and winning games of cricket for England,” he said.

Ben Stokes has withdrawn from the upcoming 5-match Test series against India which begins from August 4 in Nottingham as he has decided to ‘prioritize his mental wellbeing’. Ben Stokes, who in normal circumstances would be vice-captain to Test skipper Joe Root, is a key figure for England. In 71 Tests, he has scored 4,631 runs at 37.04 as a dynamic left-handed batsman, including 10 hundred, and taken 163 wickets at 31.38.

 

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