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Jack Leach, born on 22 June 1991 in Taunton, Somerset, England, is an English professional cricketer who represents the England Test cricket team. Internationally, he made his debut for England in 2018 and has since been a prominent figure in the team. In domestic cricket, he has been associated with Somerset County Cricket Club. Leach is primarily known for his skills as a left-arm orthodox spin bowler.
Jack Leach went to Trinity School, Bishop Fox's School, and Richard Huish College after being raised in the town of Taunton in England. Leach parked grocery carts in a Sainsbury's store in Taunton before he became a household figure as a cricket star. He was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory illness of the gastrointestinal tract, when he was just 14 years old.
Leach's professional cricket career got off in the summer of 2010, when he left the academy of the Somerset County Cricket Club.
Before signing a professional contract with Somerset, he represented the Dorset County Cricket Club in the 2010 Minor Counties Cricket Championship. In this championship, he showcased his bowling prowess by taking 6/21 in the second innings against Lincolnshire, leading his team to victory.
Furthering his education, Leach completed his degree at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, specialising in sports coaching. During his time at the university, he represented Cardiff MCCU in 2011 and 2012. He made his first-class debut against his county side, Somerset, in March 2012. Although he bowled 41 overs in this match, he did not manage to take a wicket as Somerset posted a mammoth score of 642/3.
After finishing college, Jack Leach's domestic cricket career took off. In July of 2012, he debuted for Somerset in a two-day encounter against the South African touring team. He took Hashim Amla's wicket, a well-known batsman, in this game. In August of 2012, he made his first-class debut for Somerset against Lancashire in the County Championship. Leach took his first first-class wicket when he dismissed Kyle Hogg in a rain-affected encounter that finished in a tie.
Because of the addition of Pakistani spinner Abdur Rehman to the squad in 2012, Leach received little action with the first team.
However, he still managed to finish the season ninth in the national first-class averages, taking 12 wickets at an average of 18.83 runs.
Leach participated in grade cricket for Valley District Cricket Club in Brisbane, Australia during the winter of 2012-13. His performance helped his side clinch the T20 competition. Upon his return to Somerset for the pre-season, he played his first Championship game of the season against Warwickshire. In this match, he took his maiden five-wicket haul in the second innings, with an impressive 24 of his 44 overs being maiden.
Leach's T20 debut came on 23 June 2021 for Somerset in the 2021 T20 Blast. He was bought by the Birmingham Phoenix for the 2022 edition of The Hundred, a fresh cricket tournament featuring 100 balls per innings.
Jack Leach's international journey began with a call-up to the England Lions, where he showcased his potential against West Indies A. On 14 February 2018, Leach achieved match figures of 8–110, surpassing the previous best figures by an England Lions spinner, which were held by Graeme Swann at 8–156.
His reliability earned him a position on the England national team. He replaced Mason Crane, who was injured during the trip, and was added to England's team on March 16. On March 30, 2018, in Christchurch, Leach played in his first Test for England. The match was against New Zealand.
Leach didn't always have a smooth ride. His 2018 home summer was spent behind Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, but he was summoned for the Sri Lanka winter tour. During the second test, Leach was put in the unusual position of opening England's innings as a nightwatchman, and he managed to stay alive until the conclusion of the day. The next morning, he was out after scoring just one run off eleven balls.
One of the most memorable moments in Leach's career came during a Test match against Ireland. Serving once again as a nightwatchman, Leach batted for a single over at the close of day one. The following day, he showcased his batting prowess by scoring a remarkable 92 runs, earning him the man of the match award.
The 2019 Ashes series further solidified Leach's position in the team. After Moeen Ali was preferred for the first Ashes test, Leach was recalled for the second test at Lords. He played a crucial role in the match, scoring 6 not out in the first innings and taking crucial wickets in both of Australia's innings. However, it was the third Ashes test at Headingley that would etch Leach's name in cricketing folklore. In a nail-biting finish, Leach scored a single run in a partnership of 76 with Ben Stokes, helping England secure a thrilling one-wicket victory. The game's history has witnessed many great performances, but this one is often considered as the best non-winning one ever.
Leach's unique habit of regularly cleaning his glasses during his innings earned him a cult following during the summer of 2019. This reputation was further enhanced by his off-the-pitch antics, such as leading some of the England team out to recreate his famous run at Headingley after the match. His heroics during the Headingley test also earned him free glasses for life from Specsavers.
In terms of statistics, Jack Leach's numbers are a testament to his skill and consistency. As of June 2023:
Test Matches: He has played 35 Test matches, scoring 446 runs with a batting average of 13.11. His highest score in Tests is 92. As a bowler, he has bowled 8,374 balls, taking 124 wickets with a bowling average of 34.18. His best bowling figures in an innings are 5/66, and he has achieved the milestone of taking five wickets in an innings 26 times.
First-Class Matches: In 138 first-class matches, Leach has scored 1,859 runs with a batting average of 13.66. With the ball, he has taken 432 wickets from 26,534 balls bowled, with an impressive average of 28.47. His best bowling figures in an innings in first-class cricket are 8/85.
List A Matches: In the shorter format, Leach has played 17 List A matches, scoring 22 runs with a batting average of 7.33. He has taken 21 wickets from 872 balls bowled, with a bowling average of 33.19. His best figures in this format are 3/7.
T20 Matches: Leach has also made his mark in the T20 format, playing 2 matches. He has taken 5 wickets from 48 balls bowled, with an impressive average of 12.00. His best figures in T20s are 3/28.
Jack Leach's journey in the world of cricket is nothing short of inspirational. From his early days in Taunton to representing England on the international stage, Leach has showcased resilience, skill, and an unwavering passion for the game. His performances, especially in the Test format, have solidified his position as one of the premier spinners in the modern era. Beyond his cricketing prowess, Leach's down-to-earth nature and his iconic glasses-cleaning habit have endeared him to fans worldwide. As he continues to weave his magic with the ball and contribute with the bat, the cricketing world eagerly awaits more memorable moments from this talented cricketer.
FAQs
When did Jack Leach make his Test debut for England?
Jack Leach made his Test debut for England on 30 March 2018 against New Zealand.
What is Jack Leach's highest score in Test cricket?
Jack Leach's highest score in Test cricket is 92.
Which county cricket club has Jack Leach been associated with?
Jack Leach has been associated with Somerset County Cricket Club.
What is Jack Leach's bowling style?
Jack Leach is a left-arm orthodox spin bowler.
Did Jack Leach play a significant role in any Ashes series?
Yes, Jack Leach played a crucial role in the 2019 Ashes series, especially in the third Test at Headingley, where he partnered with Ben Stokes in a match-winning last-wicket stand.
