Pietersen Lays Into Cult Hero Leach

KEVIN Pietersen has branded England’s Ashes cult hero Jack Leach a ‘laughing stock’ and claims the spinner could have done more to prevent Australia retaining the urn.

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The Somerset player became a national hero after scoring one run in a last wicket partnership of 76 with Ben Stokes to help England win third Test at Headingley.

And there was brief hope bespectacled tail-ender Leach could help conjure another miracle at Old Trafford on Sunday when he dug in with Craig Overton as Australia sought the two final wickets needed for victory.