ENG vs NZ: Jack Leach Out Of First Test Against New Zealand Due To Concussion Symptoms

The first Test between England and New Zealand started in a dramatic fashion as after winning the toss Kane Williamson decided to bat first at Lords Cricket Ground.

But his decision to bat first backfired badly as veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad who was returning to the Test side for England got three wickets inside the first 10 overs itself courtesy of brilliant slip catching by Jonny Bairstow.

England looked like a team with a different plan as they set very aggressive fields in the first hour, at times there were as many as 5 slip fielders at a time. This is something which Brendon McCullum used to do as a skipper and it seems to have been translated now to the English team as he has taken over as the Test team head coach from this series.

England Lose Jack Leach In The 6th Over Of The Match

In the 6th over of the match, Jack Leach landed awkwardly on his head while attempting to avoid the boundary and was being treated on the sidelines by the physio. Medical personnel from both New Zealand and England were keeping an eye on him. There was a brief pause in the action as the slip cordon waited with bated breath.

Devon Conway used a pushing blade to go after the ball, and the outside edge shot into the gap between the gully and the backward point. Leach chased it down from a backward point and managed to drag it back inches inside the boundary rope, but he appeared to have injured his neck in the process. He left the field right away.

Jack Leach has symptoms of concussion following his head injury whilst fielding.

As per concussion guidelines, he has been withdrawn from this Test.

We will confirm a concussion replacement in due course.

??????? #ENGvNZ ?? pic.twitter.com/stuy0CQbYD

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2022

The ECB tweeted after a while that Leach would take no further part in the game. “Jack Leach has symptoms of concussion following his head injury whilst fielding. As per concussion guidelines, he has been withdrawn from this Test. We will confirm a concussion replacement in due course.”

Matt Parkinson will join the team later in the day as the replacement.

Also Read: ENG vs NZ: Brendon McCullum Is Mates With A Number Of Guys And There’s A Lot Of History: Kane Williamson