Experienced spinner Jack Leach's absence from England's second Test match against India, which is set to begin on Friday in Visakhapatnam, is a serious blow to the England team. Despite having a knee problem on the first day of England's exciting 28-run triumph against India in the first Test match in Hyderabad, Leach was still able to participate in the match and bowl 10 overs in the hosts' 2nd innings, according to the ICC. While England had hoped that Leach's injury would improve and allow him to play in the second Test, captain Ben Stokes said that the 32-year-old will have to miss the match, which is crucial in the ICC World Test Championship.
"He is ruled out of the second Test," Stokes said of Leach as quoted by ICC.
"Unfortunately, the knock he took resulted in a hematoma in his leg. It is a big shame for us, a big shame for Jack, obviously after a long time out of the game with his back."
"To sustain that injury, first game back, obviously it is frustrating. But it is something we are assessing every day. The medical team has taken over that, and hopefully, it is not something that is too serious and keeps him out for longer in the series."
Although the England's final playing11 for the 2nd Test is still being finalized, a young, uncapped off-spinner Shoaib Bashir might replace Leach if the tourists choose to include another spinner. If the conditions are perfect, England may also depend on veteran seamer James Anderson. According to Stokes, he won't decide on the lineup until Thursday.
India v England: Jack Leach out of second Test with knee injury https://t.co/8fTgzgnTDL
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 31, 2024
Stokes said he hoped that Bashir would impress on his debut if he was chosen to partner other spinners Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed during the second Test.
"If he was to play on this tour, then the great thing he has on his side is, what is there to lose?" Stokes said.
"That is how I will be thinking about it, if he gets the chance to play: just to make sure I can give him the best experience I possibly can. Because you only play your first Test match once. If he does play, then I will be trying to make it as enjoyable for him as I can."
"Myself, Baz (coach Brendon McCullum) and Popey (vice-captain Ollie Pope) will probably have a longer think about it. We looked at the wicket; I gave it a tap, and a play-around to make it look like I knew what I was doing. Bash is in the squad, we have not brought him here to have an experience. If we feel we want to turn to him, we will," he concluded.
News
