Jack is spin it to win it

POSITIVE: Leach from DEAN WILSON in Colombo

JACK LEACH reckons he can be England’s main man in the first Test in Sri Lanka, even though he could go into the game starved of match practice.

The left-arm Somerset spinner has opened up on yet more frustration after a planned day of bowling was wiped out by the rain.

That leaves him in danger of being severely undercooked ahead of a possible second cap.

The 27-year-old has had to wait for another taste of international cricket after his debut in New Zealand in March was followed by a summer of misfortune.

Leach suffered a concussion on his return after breaking his thumb earlier in the season, but he is desperate to show what he can do on a surface that is expected to spin big.

Attack

“I thrive off expectation,” said Leach. “I want to be the man or part of a three-man spin attack that will take the wickets.

“The weather has been frustrating but I’ve been working hard in the nets.”

Leach’s experience in Taunton, on the most spin friendly surface in England, should hold him in good stead for what he is likely to find in Galle – where fellow left-arm spinner Rangana Herath will play his final Test for the hosts.

Former England spinner Graeme Swann reckons Leach is right to be licking his lips at the thought of such a responsive surface.

“I think he can bowl,” said Swann, who took 255 Test wickets.

“If you’ve people who know how to bowl on turning wickets you take them to places where the wicket turns.”