SOMERSET spinner Jack Leach has been called up to the England Test squad for the upcoming series in New Zealand.
Leach got the nod this morning after leg-spinner Mason Crane suffered a back injury.
BREAKING: Jack Leach called up to the England squad for the Test series against New Zealand after Mason Crane suffers back injury #WeAreSomerset pic.twitter.com/s0zWUMzTpA
— Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) March 16, 2018
Last month, Leach recorded the best ever match figures by an England Lions spinner, finishing with 8-112 against West Indies A in Jamaica.
What a feeling!!! Thanks for the amazing support. Can’t wait to get out to New Zealand and get stuck in 🌰🏴
— Jack Leach (@jackleach1991) March 16, 2018
The Somerset man claimed 5-28 from 13 overs in the second innings to go with his 3-84 from 34 overs.
READ MORE: Somerset County Cricket Club CEO to stand down
Leach's figures were the best by any spinner in an England back-up side, including the previous England A and England B teams.
Shame for Mr Crane, but a well deserved call up for Mr Jack Leach, hope goes well
— BergholtTowersStaff (@Bergholt_Towers) March 16, 2018
JACK LEACH IS FINALLY IN AN ENGLAND TEST SQUAD!!!!!!
— Tim (@Milts36) March 16, 2018
Jack Leach gets the senior call at last. Mason Crane heading home: stress fracture in his back.
— Simon Mann (@Cricket_Mann) March 16, 2018
The 26-year-old Taunton-born spinner has taken more wickets (116) in Division One of the County Championship over the past two seasons than anyone else and has been narrowly overlooked for tours of both India and Australia in recent winters.
He also had to bounce back from remodelling his action last winter, with routine tests having found a kink, but Leach did so successfully to spearhead Somerset's charge to Division One survival last season.
Leach's call-up also followed news that Craig Overton had been named in England's 12-man squad for a game against the New Zealand XI - the seamer took 1-37 from 13 overs on day one.
Our 12-man squad for the two-day red ball match against New Zealand Cricket XI!
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 15, 2018
Scorecard: https://t.co/PYlh3XRIRZ pic.twitter.com/18l0pXBgp1
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel