Leach spoke after the second day of England’s preparation game against the England Lions in Brisbane he was eliminated; the left arm spinner has vowed to rely on his own strengths if selected to face Australia as his team prepares for the first test in Gabba
Jack Leach hopes to lead England’s spinning attack in Australia
The performances of the “very impressive” Nathan Lyon have been part of Jack Leach’s preparation for the upcoming Ashes series.
But the left-arm orthodox spinner, speaking after the second day of England’s preparation match against the England Lions in Brisbane was eliminated, has vowed to rely on his own strengths if selected to face Australia as his team prepares. for the first test. in the Gabba.
“For years I have watched Nathan Lyon and he is very impressive,” Leach told reporters on Wednesday from the Queensland capital.
“How strong his standard ball is and on terrains that don’t necessarily offer a lot of spin, he’s found ways to extract more bounce, immersion and all the other stuff.
“They are the kinds of things that I have been trying to add, but I still maintain my strengths.”
The roulette wheel signaled the return of Ben Stokes and the presence of Stokes’ partner Chris Woakes gave him some confidence to be selected for the five-round series that begins in Brisbane on December 8.
“Since the summer, the feedback was that Stokesy not being on the side, not having that full option in the higher order, it made things difficult for me,” Leach said.
“So I think having him back is great. Also having Woakes back … both back is hopefully positive to be able to fit into a spinner, for sure.”
Leach and Stokes combined to help England claim a close win over a field at Headingley during the Ashes series drawn in 2019.
Leach smiled when asked if he would ever tire of hearing about his undefeated score of one on that occasion, when Stokes posted 135 not out.
“I’m not fed up with the one that hasn’t come out, I don’t think I ever will be, but I suppose I want to continue performing for England (and) that’s what it comes down to,” he said.
With the Perth ash test in doubt over the strict Covid-19 rules, Victoria state authorities have requested Cricket Australia to return the series to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
MCG is already organizing the third round between Australia and England on their traditional Boxing Day schedule starting on December 26, but would have an “undeniable” case to replace Perth for the fifth and final match starting on January 14, Victoria Sports Minister Martin Pakula said.
“The Victorian government has certainly made it clear to Cricket Australia that if the Perth Test cannot go ahead, we will not only be prepared to host the fifth Test, but also to host the fifth Test,” Pakula told reporters on Wednesday. .
“If they can’t get to Perth and it’s a business decision, I think MCG’s claims are pretty undeniable.”
“We will wait and see, but Cricket Australia is well aware of our interest.”
Pakula’s comments follow similar expressions of interest from other states, including New South Wales, which hosts the fourth test in Sydney, and Tasmania.
Perth’s hopes of hosting an ash test plummeted on Tuesday when Western Australian State Prime Minister Mark McGowan said players and staff would have to be quarantined for 14 days upon arrival from New South Wales. after the Sydney test on January 5-9.
Cricket Australia has repeatedly declined to comment on the schedule.
