THERE have been very mixed reactions to the announcement of the England squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, with Craig Overton selected but Somerset team-mate Jack Leach again overlooked.
Overton impressed when finally given his chance for England, taking the scalp of Australian captain Steve Smith as his maiden Test wicket, before sustaining a rib injury.
He has returned to England to continue his recovery, ahead of the New Zealand tour in March.
@craigoverton12 Congratulations #WeAreSomerset
— Stephen Hubbard (@SH_Berkhamsted) January 10, 2018
Good to see @craigoverton12 has kept his spot!! Much Deserved 👏
— Jonny Green (@Jonnyg1990) January 10, 2018
There was no joy for Leach, however, despite England's well-documented spin bowling issues, and the fact that he has taken more County Championship wickets than anyone else in Division 1 since the start of the 2016 season.
Leach had already received the backing of Graeme Swann and David 'Bumble' Lloyd, and plenty of cricket fans also believe he should be given his chance at the top level.
@englandcricket @ECB_cricket You've given every other spinner with an English passport a chance and they've all been crap, Top English spinner in first class cricket 2 years on the trot surely deserves his opportunity! Swallow your pride! https://t.co/PVIDXsvK8z
— Lloyd Irish (@lloydirish) January 10, 2018
Mason crane 48 overs 3 maidens 193 runs and he keeps his place! Leach takes wickets for fun and bowls tight, and can’t get anywhere near the team. If only jack played for Surrey......
— Wayne Hepple (@redtauntonian) January 10, 2018
3 winter tour squads where the @ECB_cricket selectors have decided not to take the best spinner in county cricket!!
— sam trego (@tregs100) January 11, 2018
Plus a batsman pulled out of the lucky dip hat!!🙈🙈
Recent England selection policy has been based on giving players a run of 6 / 7 Tests so they can be properly assessed over a period of time w/o worrying about their place.
— Jeremy B (@Jeremy_2566) January 10, 2018
So little surprise Crane keeps his place. Jack Leach though remains desperately unlucky.
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