Spin hero ex-specs to be even better for the break

JACK LEACH might have become a cult hero – but his whirlwind summer came at a cost.

He started 2019 having played four away Tests, was in a battle to be his country’s main spinner but was largely anonymous to the public.

But the left-armer jetted out to New Zealand for the two-Test series with his place in cricket folklore cemented thanks to his iconic one not out – with all the wiping of glasses and near runouts – as part of Ben Stokes’ outrageous match-winning effort at Headingley.

But the demanding Ashes series and the attention that came with it left the Somerset star wiped out.

“I felt tired at the end of the summer,” said Leach, who hasn’t bowled a ball in anger since the end of September.

“Mentally especially. A series of that magnitude is draining and the hype around it... it takes a lot out of you.

“Having that time off and getting away from cricket and doing a bit of thinking of how you want to take your game forward, and where your game is at, was a really good exercise for me.

“Then the last couple of weeks I feel like I have taken my game on again, mainly by going back to my basics, improving my game with bat and ball and remembering what is important to me when I am at my best.

“I feel like I have nailed them down a little bit more. It is nice to have a couple of weeks out of competition to work on your game and not worry about the game around the corner.”

Last time Leach, 28, flew to New Zealand, 18 months ago, he was a nervous wreck awaiting his international debut.

He was a late call-up following a back injury to Mason Crane, and was given his bow in the second Test at Christchurch, where he took two wickets as the hosts clawed to a draw to save the series. Now it is Matt Parkinson’s turn to have butterflies in his stomach, as Lancashire’s leg-spinning whizz hopes to be given his Test cap in Mount Maunganui next week.

And Leach has passed on some sage advice to the 23-year-old rookie.

He said: “I had been working towards that for a while and when it is actually happening it is a scary thing but one that you massively want to experience.

“It is important for Matt coming into the set-up that he stays true to himself and does exactly what he has done for his county. That is what has got him to international level.

“He’s a very exciting player, has a great record in the early part of his career. He’s going to be a wickettaker and he gives the ball a big rip.”

Jack Leach was having his eyes tested by

Specsavers, official

Test partner of the

England cricket team.