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Leach ‘shocked’ by England doubts over action
- Updated: December 20, 2016
Jack Leach, the Somerset left-arm spinner, says he was “shocked” not to be considered for a call-up to England’s tour of India due to concerns over the legality of his bowling action.
The ECB confirmed on Tuesday that the problem was raised during routine testing at the national academy in Loughborough following the end of the season in which Leach had taken 65 wickets at 21 in the County Championship. Leach has never been reported for a suspect action by the umpires.
While Somerset – Leach’s club – insist the issue was minor, it is likely it convinced the England selectors not to consider him as a replacement for Zafar Ansari when he was forced home from India due to injury. Hampshire’s Liam Dawson was called up in Ansari’s place.
Instead, Leach took his place on the England Lions tour of the UAE, where we underwent remedial work on his bowling action while also continuing to play. He claimed 3 for 7 in a one-day match against UAE and 2 for 25 in the four-day encounter against Afghanistan, then was named in the squad for the tour of Sri Lanka in February.
Leach has admitted he was “shocked” when ECB tests showed he had an illegal bowling action.
“When I did the test and they told me I was as shocked as anyone,” said Leach. “It was only a …
