Jack the lad to put Kiwis in a spin
LEACH WILL PLAY HUGE ROLE, SAYS EMBUREY
BY
JACK LEACH is a man who likes to fly under the radar.
But now England spin legend John Emburey believes it is time for the quiet man of the current bowling attack to be more fully appreciated.
Left-armer Leach celebrated his 100th Test wicket on England’s recent series in Pakistan.
But it was an achievement that was largely overlooked, as England’s unique brand of attacking cricket swept the hosts aside.
Leach said at the time that his century of wickets was more than he thought he would ever achieve.
Emburey (below), though, believes there is plenty more to come from a 31-year-old who is now more central to England’s plans than ever.
“The most important thing is that England are always looking to play a spinner,” said the former off-break bowler, who took 147 Test wickets between 1978 and 1995.
“Just knowing that you are going to play is huge for a spinner.
“How big a role he is going to play in New Zealand will probably depend on the pitches.
“But even if the pitch isn’t turning he’ll still be crucial.
“England might choose to use him in a more defensive role, and rotate the pace bowlers around him.
“Then in the second innings, when there’s likely to be a bit more wear and tear, he will come into his own a bit more.
“It’s not easy being a spinner these days, but Jack has really adapted to his role in this England side.
“He has clearly spoken to captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum about the kind of role that they want him to play.
“Part of the spinner’s role can be to do the donkey work so that the quick bowlers can rest – but Jack can play both roles.
“I think England really appreciate the part Jack plays in this side.”
Leach does not have the happiest memories of New Zealand. His last visit here, in the winter of 2019, ended with the Somerset man contracting sepsis.
He has spoken this week of how he had been fearful of falling asleep, in case he did not wake up.
It is not the first battle that Leach, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, has had to fight in his career.
After that New Zealand tour, he did not play another Test until January 2021.
As he prepares for England’s first Test of this year, however, he can look back on a 2022 that saw him take 46 red-ball wickets in all, 31 of them under Stokes.
Only South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and Australia’s Nathan Lyon beat that tally – and only by a single wicket. Derek Underwood (297 Test wickets) and Graeme Swann (255) – England’s most prolific spinners of all time – might be some way off still in the record books, but Leach, now on 110 scalps, could well find Emburey’s tally within reach before the end of this year.
“It’s a huge achievement for an England spinner to take 100 wickets in Test cricket,” Emburey added.
“Very often you’re bowling on unhelpful surfaces at home, and being asked to do a holding job rather than play an attacking role.
“Although obviously this England side is as attacking as it gets.
“This is a big year for England and a big year for Jack too. The Aussies are coming and they’ll look to get after him.
“But he has proved time and again, that’s easier to say than to do. He should be full of confidence.”