SOMERSET and England legend Sir Ian Botham believes Jack Leach should be a part of England's Ashes squad when it is announced later this week.
The touring party is to be revealed at 10am on Wednesday morning and, writing on the Sky Sports website, Botham backed the Somerset spinner for selection.
He said: "I look at records. The whole point of having a two-division County Championship is to see what players are doing and who is performing.
"Leach's figures outdo everyone else in the spin department, yet no one seems to mention him. I find that quite bizarre.
"He has taken 42 Division One wickets this season for Somerset, having taken 65 last year, a record only beaten by Warwickshire's Jeetan Patel.
"He also picked up another five-wicket haul the other week against a Lancashire side that has been doing well.
"He is in form - so what's he done wrong?"
Leach's excellent record - particularly since the start of last season - certainly outshines that of his rivals for the second spinner spot.
Hampshire youngster Mason Crane is currently the man in possession having been named in the squad for the West Indies series despite modest statistics - the 20-year-old has taken 70 First Class wickets at an average of 42.22.
BREAKING: Somerset all-rounder Craig Overton in contention to make @englandcricket ashes squad, according to Sky sources. #SSN pic.twitter.com/ktnNeFz8UI
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 25, 2017
Elsewhere, the prospects of Somerset all-rounder Craig Overton touring seem to have increased, with both Sky Sports and The Times mentioning that the 23-year-old is 'in contention' for a call-up.
Who would you pick in your England squad? Do the Somerset pair deserve a place on the plane? Let us know in the comments below or join the debate on Facebook.
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