Brendon McCullum provides massive update on Jack Leach's availability in the 3rd Test vs India
Published - 07 Feb 2024, 01:01 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:26 AM
England head coach Brendon McCullum provided an update on left-arm spinner Jack Leach’s knee injury ahead of the third Test match against Team India. Brendon McCullum highlighted that Jack Leach’s knee remains inflamed, expressing concern over its severity.
Jack Leach was absent in the Visakhapatnam Test due to the knee injury sustained during the opening Test against India in Hyderabad. The 32-year-old hurt his knee while fielding on the opening day. He bowled 10 overs and picked up a wicket in the second innings.
The debutant Shoaib Bashir replaced Leach in the second Test, where the visiting team suffered a 106-run loss. The inexperienced English spinners struggled to make an impact in the match, while veteran pacer James Anderson picked up five wickets across both innings.
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Jack Leach’s Knee Is Pretty Bad Though – Brendon McCullum
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Brendon McCullum cast doubt on Jack Leach’s availability for the upcoming match. McCullum acknowledged the remarkable effort Leach put in during the first Test match despite the injury.
“It is still pretty inflamed, but I don’t really know because he (Jack Leach) has been a crook,” McCullum told Belfast Telegraph.
“His knee is pretty bad though, and it was remarkable he got through what he did in the first Test match,” he added.
England secured a 28-run victory in the series opener in Hyderabad. Jack Leach contributed with one wicket for 63 runs in his 26 overs in the first innings. Debutant Tom Hartley impressed with figures of 7/62 in the final innings to help England win the red-ball match.
It’s Not An Excuse For The Result – Ben Stokes
England skipper Ben Stokes disclosed that Ollie Pope, Hartley, and Ben Foakes were affected by illness during Day 4 of the 2nd Test. Stokes emphasized that the illness wasn’t an excuse for the outcome but praised the players for their determination and effort.
“A couple woke up this morning not feeling great, and when everyone had the same symptoms you know there is something going around,” Stokes told BBC.
“It’s not an excuse for the result, because it’s a game full of ifs, buts and maybes. I’m proud the guys who were feeling under the weather didn’t shy away from anything they needed to do and gave it their best.”
Between the second and third Tests, England is to spend the 10-day break in Abu Dhabi, where they previously held their pre-season preparatory camp. Following this break, the squad plans to regroup in India in preparation for the third Test, as per the Times of India.
The third Test is scheduled to take place at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, starting on February 15. This upcoming red ball match holds significant importance for both teams as they seek to gain an advantage in the ongoing five-match series.
