Spinner Jack Leach reflects on fears for his international future after being left out of the England squad.

Jack Leach, England’s talented left-arm spinner, recently opened up about his fears of potentially losing his international career after being omitted from the England squad during the home summer. The 33-year-old faced intense scrutiny when he was replaced by rising star Shoaib Bashir, but he has now returned to the team for the crucial series in Pakistan, forming a spin partnership with his Somerset teammate.

As Leach prepares for the series decider in Rawalpindi, where England looks to clinch victory, he leads the wicket-taking charts for both teams, having claimed 14 wickets thus far in the series. Reflecting on his time away from the team, Leach admitted, “After a long time out with injury, I felt maybe that might be it, even though I knew this tour was the other side of the summer.”

His fears stemmed from a challenging year marked by injuries that kept him sidelined. Following a leg injury sustained during the Test tour in India, Leach missed significant playing time, including the entire home Ashes series in the summer of 2023 due to a stress fracture in his back. “If you’re not able to stay fit, then other people come in and do well, and Bash certainly did that,” he explained.

Leach’s return to form has been crucial not only for his confidence but also for the England side, which has relied heavily on his experience in recent matches. “It was just about me getting back to fitness. Then, from that, you take wickets and build confidence. That’s what I went away and did,” he remarked.

With the spotlight firmly on him and his spin colleagues, including Bashir and potentially leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, the third Test promises to be an exciting encounter. England faced a record-breaking win in the first Test in Multan, but Pakistan retaliated by levelling the series in the second Test, where home spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan dominated, taking all 20 wickets.

As Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood, expressed a desire for another turning pitch in Rawalpindi, preparations were underway to ensure the conditions would favour spinners. Images circulated on social media showcasing industrial-sized fans and heaters used to dry the pitch. By Monday, the heaters had been removed, leaving only the fans in place, with England set to train and assess the pitch for the first time on Tuesday.

Leach, who has taken 140 wickets across 38 Tests, remains cautiously optimistic about the upcoming match. “I don’t know what to expect,” he admitted. “We’ll go to training tomorrow, have a look at it. I feel quite clear about what I’m doing. That doesn’t really change depending on the wicket.”

Bashir’s inclusion in the squad marks a significant milestone in his career, as he prepares to play his 12th Test match despite having only featured in 11 first-class games. With 38 wickets, including three five-wicket hauls, the young spinner has shown remarkable promise. However, he still plays second fiddle to Leach at Somerset.

Reflecting on their partnership, Leach praised Bashir’s talent, saying, “We’ve got a really good relationship. Bash has got off to an amazing start. His talent is amazing. He has such a high ceiling, and he’s on the way to that. That’s exciting for English cricket.”

As the season progresses, Leach is aware that changes may be on the horizon, particularly regarding team selection. “It might be different at Somerset next year. Who knows? For me, it’s quite a fluid thing,” he acknowledged.

Ultimately, Leach’s focus remains steadfast on performing for both Somerset and England. “Those are things I can’t control. If they want to pick me, then I’ll give everything for them. That’s all I want to focus on.”

With the series hanging in the balance and the pressure mounting, Jack Leach’s journey is a testament to resilience, showcasing the challenges faced by athletes striving to reclaim their place on the international stage