Leach hopes it’s his turn again now Ben is back
STOKES FIT AND READY FOR ASHES
BEN STOKES could not even hold a bat two months ago – but now he is “fit and hungry for a big series” on the final countdown to the Ashes.
And Jack Leach, his sidekick in the heart-stopping miracle of Headingley in 2019, when the Aussies choked at the chequered flag, hopes Big Ben’s return has increased his chances of a call-up in Brisbane next week.
Stokes, right, missed most of last summer to take an indefinite break, addressing his mental health and recovering from a badly-fractured finger.
After being added to the tour party in October, he gave England a double scare when he was struck on the forearm in net practice last week and almost choked on a pill that became lodged in his windpipe.
But skipper Joe Root said fears that Stokes had broken his arm had receded and he “seems to have come through it pretty well”.
In a post on Stokes’ Instagram account, showing him at work with bat and ball, he said: “Don’t call it a comeback. Spent some time testing out the finger with @adidasLondon last month.
“Two months ago, I couldn’t hold a bat.With one week to go till the first Test, I’m fit and hungry for a big series Down Under!”
Left-arm spinner Leach believes the return of Stokes and fellow all-rounder Chris Woakes to the Test fold will improve his chances of being selected for Wednesday’s Ashes opener in Brisbane. England may be tempted to accommodate the Somerset player if Stokes and Woakes provide two of the seam options.
After the second day of England’s warm-up match against the Lions was washed out, Leach said: “From the summer, the feedback was that Stokesy not being in the side, not having that all-round option in the top order, kind of made things difficult for me to get in the side.
So having him back is great. Also having Woakes back... both of them back is hopefully positive for being able to fit a spinner in, for sure.”
Leach has still not escaped his ‘Oscar’ for best supporting No.11 after his sensational, unbeaten 76-run stand with Stokes carried England to a dramatic one-wicket win at Headingley in the drawn Ashes series two years ago.
Asked if he would ever tire of hearing about his one not out in an hour – while Stokes was charging to an unbeaten 135 at the other end – he said: “I’m not fed up with the one not out – I don’t think I ever will be. But I guess I want to keep performing for England and that’s what it comes down to.”