England suffered a huge setback with their lead spin bowler Jack Leach has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against India.
Jack Leach will miss the remaining three Tests against India due to a left knee injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Sunday, 11 February.
Leach sustained the injury during the first Test in Hyderabad, leading to his exclusion from the second match. The left-arm spinner will travel back home from Abu Dhabi, where England are currently stationed during the long gap between the second and third Test, which begins on Thursday, 15 February in Rajkot.
“Leach will work closely with the England and Somerset medical teams in respect of his rehabilitation,” the statement from ECB added.
What the Absence of Jack Leach Means for England against India
The injury to Leach comes as a huge blow to England as going into the series, he was the only English spinner who had prior experience of playing in India. He was also touted to be the one leading the English spin attack based on his experience.
Though England have not named a replacement for Leach so far, they are not short of options in the spin department with Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, and Shoaib Bashir all available. The Three Lions also have the part-time option of Joe Root available to them.
Now, in the absence of Leach, it is up to one of the above-mentioned spinners to lead the English spin attack from the front.
