Cricket

Jack Leach's omission from England's Test squad during the home summer proved to be a catalyst for his rediscovery of his love for cricket. A timely phone call from Ben Stokes after a Test win reinforced his belief in his abilities.Leach, now England's leading wicket-taker in Pakistan with 14, had played only two Tests in the 18 months prior to the tour. Despite regaining fitness after knee surgery, he was overlooked for Shoaib Bashir in England's first Test of the summer.However, Stokes' call reassured Leach that his performances had not gone unnoticed. "He just wanted to tell me how great I was," Leach recalled. "That gave me confidence I still had something to offer the team."Leach admitted to initial fears about his England career, but praised the communication from management. He also received a call from Brendon McCullum, further bolstering his confidence.After a slow start to the season, Leach rediscovered his form with Somerset, taking 36 wickets at 15.86 in five matches. He attributed his success to embracing his strengths and enjoying the game."I just felt like I needed to rediscover that kid-like mentality of why you play the game," Leach said. "I've discovered that again: just being myself, and actually really enjoying that."In Pakistan, Leach has outbowled Bashir, but insists that reclaiming his status as first-choice spinner is not his priority. "For me, it's all about the team," he said.The series decider in Rawalpindi presents another opportunity for Leach to shine on a turning pitch. Two years ago, he played a pivotal role in England's famous victory at the same venue."That's probably my favorite wicket," Leach said. "It was just such a good game to be part of." England will hope for a similar performance from Leach as they aim to secure a 2-1 series win.

England's Test squad for their upcoming three-match series against Pakistan has been announced, with Brydon Carse and Jack Leach making notable returns.Carse, 29, has been included despite serving a ban for betting irregularities earlier this year. The fast bowler has impressed since his return to action, scoring a century for Durham against Somerset. His inclusion adds another 90mph option to England's bowling attack, alongside Gus Atkinson and Olly Stone.Leach, meanwhile, is back in the squad for the first time since the tour of India in February. The spinner has recovered from a knee injury and has been in good form for Somerset, claiming 12 wickets in his most recent match. He will partner Shoaib Bashir, who has established himself as England's first-choice spinner in home conditions.Chris Woakes has also been recalled for his first overseas engagement since March 2022. Despite concerns about his effectiveness away from home, Woakes has responded well to the responsibility of leading England's bowling attack since James Anderson's retirement.The squad also includes several other notable players, such as Ben Stokes (captain), Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, and Olly Stone.England will be hoping to build on their recent success against West Indies and Sri Lanka, and will be confident of a strong showing in Pakistan. The series gets underway next month, with the first Test scheduled to begin on December 1.

Jack Leach, the left-arm spinner for Somerset, has expressed his unwavering determination to reclaim his place in the England Test team after his impressive 12-wicket haul against Durham. Leach, who was England's first-choice spinner under Ben Stokes' captaincy, has been sidelined by injuries in recent months, but his recent performance has reignited his hopes of a return to the international stage.Leach's 15 wickets in England's 3-0 Test series win in Pakistan in December 2022 serve as a testament to his abilities. Despite the emergence of Shoaib Bashir, his Somerset teammate, Leach believes he can regain his spot in the pecking order ahead of England's tour to Pakistan in October."I totally understand why Bash has been selected," Leach said. "I rate him really highly and think he is already a very good bowler with a lot of promise for the future. But there is a tour to Pakistan coming up and if England need me, I am more than happy to go."Leach's long spells against Durham have boosted his confidence, and he feels he is nearing his best form after overcoming a series of niggling injuries. He acknowledges the possibility of England selecting multiple spinners for the Pakistan tour and sees no reason why he and Bashir cannot both make the squad."I don't want to get my hopes up, but I am as determined as I ever have been to play for England," Leach said.Somerset's victory over Durham has kept them in contention for the County Championship title, and Leach is eager to contribute to his team's success. He believes the upcoming match against Surrey at Taunton will be crucial in their title aspirations."We are still right in the fight for the title, which is where we wanted to be at this stage of the season," Leach said. "I think the pitch against Durham suits our style of cricket. You had to be patient as a bowler, but if you kept putting the ball in the right place you were rewarded."

Somerset's victory over Durham in the Metro-Bank One-Day Cup was largely due to the exceptional bowling performance of England's Jack Leach and the crucial innings of Lewis Goldsworthy.Leach, who has been overlooked by England for recent international matches, proved his worth with a devastating spell of 6 for 26. His slow left-arm bowling troubled Durham's batsmen throughout the match, exploiting the spin-friendly pitch at the Riverside.Goldsworthy, on the other hand, played a pivotal role in Somerset's batting innings. His well-crafted 93 provided the foundation for the team's total of 241 for 9. Despite losing early wickets, Goldsworthy and George Thomas steadied the innings with a 119-run partnership.Durham's chase of 242 began promisingly, but Leach's brilliance quickly turned the tide. He dismissed Alex Lees, Colin Ackermann, Michael Jones, and Bas de Leede in quick succession, leaving Durham reeling at 48 for 4.Debutant Charlie Cassell and Goldsworthy's spin further stifled Durham's progress, and the home side's hopes were extinguished when Scott Borthwick was caught by Leach off Andy Umeed. Leach completed his five-wicket haul with the dismissal of Paul Coughlin and added another wicket to his tally when Haydon Mustard was caught in similar fashion.Somerset's victory highlights the importance of spin bowling in limited-overs cricket. Leach's ability to control the game and take wickets at crucial moments proved decisive. Goldsworthy's innings also showcased the value of a solid foundation in batting.