FREE glasses for life, praise from Jeremy Corbyn and a scheduled live appearance at the Hackney Empire... just another day for English cricket's new cult hero, Jack Leach.

The Somerset spinner, born and bred in Taunton, has become the toast of a nation after his vital role in helping Ben Stokes steer England to victory in an astonishing third Ashes Test at Headingley.

Leach may 'only' have made one not out - already variously described as "the best one not out ever" - but he dug in and showed great heart against high quality bowling in a 74-run last-wicket partnership with Stokes, who finished unbeaten on 135.

The 28-year-old also endeared himself to the sporting public by the cleaning of his glasses between deliveries and, when he next needs a new pair, he won't need to bring his wallet.

"We can confirm we will offer Jack Leach free glasses for life," tweeted the official Specsavers account in response to a request from Stokes, who later described Leach as "a legend" with "serious b******* on him".

Perhaps strangest of all, a Twitter account has been set up called 'Jack Leach's Glasses Cloth' (@LeachCloth), which reacted to Specsavers' announcement by saying: "Does this mean I'm being replaced."

Leach later took to Twitter himself to accept an invitation to appear at the Tailenders podcast live show at the Hackney Empire on October 13.

Host Greg James, who presents the Radio 1 Breakfast Show and appears on Tailenders alongside England bowler James Anderson and Maccabees guitarist Felix White, said: "Emergency podcast recording tomorrow morning.

"Too much to discuss. Getting Leach to appear at Hackney Empire on 13th Oct with us is high on the agenda. One of the greatest tailender knocks in history."

Leach replied: "Count me in Greg. #910Jack."

Another viral story came from Leach's decision to re-enact his single which levelled the scores on the outfield with his England teammates hours after the game's conclusion.

Australian journalist Geoff Lemon wrote: "Actual true thing: it is 8pm, Jack Leach just led the whole England team back out onto the pitch, then re-enacted his single that tied the scores."

BBC Sport's Stephan Shemilt then provided the photo evidence...

And amidst the praise from former cricketers (Michael Vaughan: "My hero, the nut!") and television quiz show hosts (Richard Osman: "Every Ben Stokes needs a Jack Leach"), there was a ringing endorsement from Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Corbyn wrote: "What an innings by Ben Stokes to keep the #Ashes alive for England.

"And that must go down as the best 1* ever from Jack Leach.

"Yet another reason that Test cricket should be free to watch on TV."

Peter Trego even seemed to suggest a job swap between Leach and Corbyn, tweeting: "I vote for Jack Leach to negotiate Brexit #HERO."

That may be beyond even Leach, but the modest Taunton-born left-armer has made himself a household name in the space of one sunny Sunday afternoon.

Here's some more of the best reaction as the nation adopted a new hero...