Kevin Pietersen Berates Jack Leach After Ashes Loss

Former England skipper Kevin Pietersen has called England’s Ashes cult hero Jack Leach a ‘laughing stock’ in the aftermath of Australia’s win in Manchester. Leach has been garnering praise and love from the England fans after his famous one-run knock in the Headingley Test. The left-arm spinner had become a national hero after scoring one-run in a crucial last wicket partnership with Ben Stokes in their series levelling win.

Leach had the chance to replicate his heroics again in Manchester. However, he failed this time around as Australia thrashed England by 185 runs to retain the Ashes. Kevin Pietersen has now said that Leach should have done more to prevent his team from losing the game.

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The legendary batsman, however, was not taking shots at Leach for his failure with the bat. Kevin Pietersen criticised Leach for his inability to take wickets. Pietersen was also not all impressed with the way the fans and commentators are treating bespectacled Leach.

“It’s doing my head in, that a bloke who’s supposed to win games for England is becoming a laughing stock,” Kevin Pietersen wrote for Betway.

“You’ve got people in the stands taking the mickey out of him, wearing masks and fake glasses. Commentators are talking about his Specsavers deal. England are losing an Ashes series and he’s only taken eight wickets at 30 in three test matches. It doesn’t look like he’s troubled anyone. It just annoys me,” he added.

Leach garnered attention from all over during the third test in Leeds after regularly stopping to wipe his glasses between overs. A video also emerged of him re-enacting his sole single, which tied the scores, during England’s post-match celebrations.

“Now I’m not saying that you don’t do these things,” Kevin Pietersen wrote for Betway.

“It can be good for team spirit to have a bit of fun. But, from my side, I want to win. I don’t want to see the crowd about how funny he is. I want to see him winning matches for England with his bowling,” he added.

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Australia, meanwhile, have retained the Ashes in England – something that did not happen during Kevin Pietersen’s playing career. The visitors have retained the Ashes in England for the first time since 2001. They will now be looking to seal the series in the final Test and a draw will be enough for that.