How Leach Became New Action Hero

- Chris Stocks

As Jack Leach holds court in England’s team hotel in Auckland, it is remarkable to think it is just 18 months since the Somerset left-arm spinner’s world was turned upside down when, during routine testing ahead of a Lions tour to the UAE, he was found to have an illegal bowling action.

It is testament to Leach’s character and determination that he now finds himself in a full England squad, having been called up for this series in New Zealand as an injury replacement for Mason Crane.

Leach had taken 65 wickets at 21.87 in the summer of 2016 and was a contender to go on England’s winter tours of Bangladesh and India.

When Zafar Ansari was forced home ahead of the fourth Test against India in Mumbai, there was shock when Liam Dawson was picked ahead of Leach.

However, news of the problem with his action had not yet emerged.

Instead, he worked on rectifying it with lead spin bowling coach Peter Such during that Lions tour and the results were plain for all to see last summer when the 26-year-old returned to the County Championship with a remodelled action and took 68 wickets.

“I was shocked,” Leach said of the moment he found out about his action at Loughborough in September 2016.