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Jack Leach


Totally agreed. I cant figure out why he doesnt play at home. In his last home test, somehow in the Ashes, he bowled England to victory

I am sick of hearing from the pundits how poor our spin options are, we have an international quality spinner ready to play.

I will give England the benefit for this test in that Ali does balance the side, and the top 3 are so out of form that its such a risk having a long tail with Leach in

However, why did he spend all of last summer in the bubble and have Bess infront of him, and why did he not play against NZ.

He is also hard as nails as a character in test cricket who has been through a lot.

They've always looked for a reason not to pick him, under Cook they didn't take him to India and had garbage like Asari and Patel bowling.
 
He’s really unlucky which I have a feeling might end up being a theme for him throughout his career, unfortunately. From health issues to circumstances conspiring against him being picked this summer, there always seems to be a reason not to play him.

I was surprised he played as much in India as he did to be honest, especially after getting mauled by Pant and if it hadn’t been for Bess losing the plot slightly I suspect he might have been dropped out there.

The way he came back from going for 70 off 7 or whatever to bowl superbly the way he did was really impressive and like the 90 against Ireland and the 1* it shows much character and bottle he has.

I don’t think Root fully trusts his bowling though and clearly his batting is another reason and why he’ll be overlooked for Mo here, if that’s what happens.

which is kind of understandable given how long the tail would be but he’s shown he can bat a bit and other than Broad he’s got the highest Test score of all the others. He’s unlucky.
 
Voice of fair play said:
Just goes to show you can’t take stats at face value.

As I sure no one on here would rate Leach as good or better than Swann?
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Use your eyes and watch him then?

He's the best spinner we have.

Last summer they were wrong to persist with Bess and it affected both when it came to the subcontinent.

Leach was underbowled and Bess found out.
 
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mackembhoy said:
Use your eyes and watch him then?

He's the best spinner we have.

Last summer they were wrong to persist with Bess and it affected both when it came to the subcontinent.

Leach was underbowled and Bess found out.
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He is the best spinner we have totally agree.

Also massively agree over Bess no where near international class imo, in previous threads have always said and been confused Bess how made the side

Was just making the point I think 29 flatters Leach and he not in them same class as Swann was.

So can’t always take stats on face value alone.
 
chunkylover53 said:
Takes his test wickets at ~29

for context, other orthodox spinners

Panesar 34
Swann 30
Lyon 32
Maharaj 32
Herath 28
Vettori 34

yeah, it’s a selective list. yeah he had some action issues. Yeah he was ill.

but he must be very fucked off
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Unfortunately for him he’s not a three dimensional cricketer and it seems England are obsessed with these. It’s the reason Bess got games and the reason Curran continues to get picked.

Bits and pieces over quality unfortunately.
 
Ironically, I was one of the sole voices shouting for Jack Leach to be picked when Swann retired and you lot were saying he couldn't take wickets away from Cyderabad. ;)

I think the problem with Jack is he isn't as good a batsman as Moeen or Bess so he tends to get picked on turning wickets. This means his average is higher than it would otherwise have been if attempting to hold down an end.

Lords is not a mega spin friendly wicket so Silverwood will be looking to his best batting spinner. He has presumably decided Bess isn't selectable after his performance in India and (?) the nets.
 
smoker said:
Ironically, I was one of the sole voices shouting for Jack Leach to be picked when Swann retired and you lot were saying he couldn't take wickets away from Cyderabad. ;)

I think the problem with Jack is he isn't as good a batsman as Moeen or Bess so he tends to get picked on turning wickets. This means his average is higher than it would otherwise have been if attempting to hold down an end.

Lords is not a mega spin friendly wicket so Silverwood will be looking to his best batting spinner. He has presumably decided Bess isn't selectable after his performance in India and (?) the nets.
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Definitely can see the logic in picking Moeen.
 
rentaghost said:
He’s never had the chance to prove he is or isn’t. I think he’s an excellent bowler.
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As much as I respect your opinion mate, honestly think describing him as a excellent bowler is over the top.

I agree Leach should be in the side, but certainly would not describe him as a excellent bowler.
Twisted said:
bess was getting picked for england ahead of him whilst not getting picked ahead of leach for his county iirc. madness
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Twisted said:
bess was getting picked for england ahead of him whilst not getting picked ahead of leach for his county iirc. madness
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Absolutely the very fact Somerset allowed him to leave and go on loan before that tells us they obviously did not rate him.

While at Somerset Bess record not that bad, but thats becuase they only played him when they prepared massive spinner wickets, without them spinning wickets at Taunton, Bess would never have played for England imo.
 
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He's probably spent his prime years as a cricketer carrying drinks, massively unfair on the lad.

On the other side of the argument, I can kind of see the logic with Stokes + Woakes being out this summer. They've tried to find some degree of balance between the batting/bowling and felt that in England the best option is to sacrifice a spinner to strengthen the batting line up. Doesn't make it any easier on Leach though.
 
Voice of fair play said:
As much as I respect your opinion mate, honestly think describing him as a excellent bowler is over the top.

I agree Leach should be in the side, but certainly would not describe him as a excellent bowler.


Absolutely the very fact Somerset allowed him to leave and go on loan before that tells us they obviously did not rate him.

While at Somerset Bess record not that bad, but thats becuase they only played him when they prepared massive spinner wickets, without them spinning wickets at Taunton, Bess would never have played for England imo.
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That’s fair enough and likewise I do respect your opinion. I do think he’s excellent and our best spinner by a mile but as you say it’s all down to opinions.
 
rentaghost said:
That’s fair enough and likewise I do respect your opinion. I do think he’s excellent and our best spinner by a mile but as you say it’s all down to opinions.
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I do think he is our best spinner, but equally think current stats flatter him, totally take your point that the set up probably been unfair on him, but even though stats/average suggest otherwise don’t think he is or will anywhere near as good as Swann.

But like you say all about opinions which makes this board interesting and good craic.
 
Voice of fair play said:
I do think he is our best spinner, but equally think current stats flatter him, totally take your point that the set up probably been unfair on him, but even though stats/average suggest otherwise don’t think he is or will anywhere near as good as Swann.

But like you say all about opinions which makes this board interesting and good craic.
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Swann of course had the advantage of being a good number 8 bat and decent slip fielder ensuring he could be picked with confidence ensuring the batting remained strong. Consistency of selection helped him develop into the great bowler he was.
 
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