Spinner Jack Leach’s knee injury has added to England’s woes during the ongoing first Test against India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Assistant coach Jeetan Patel confirmed that Leach has suffered a knee injury which has aggravated further.
Jack Leach landed awkwardly on his left knee while fielding on the first day of the test match. He further aggravated the problem with a second blow in the morning session of day two. However, despite the injury, the spinner showed great determination and resilience to bowl in the innings. He bowled 16 overs in the innings and the end of the second day’s play.
Assistant coach Jeetan Pate expressed confidence in Leach’s recovery. He said,
“Jack banged his knee last night, the first dive down at fine leg, then he banged it again today and it’s giving him a little jip, to be honest.”
“It must be pretty serious, or serious for him anyway because the reality is he wouldn’t shirk that responsibility. It is sore enough if you watch him in the outfield and I don’t think it’s a graze,” he added.
That’s what Jack does for this team: Jeetan Patel
England’s assistant coach Jeetan Patel hailed Jack Leach for bowling despite a knee injury. He also expressed hope that the spinner will be back bowling in the fourth innings as well. Leach missed the entirety of last summer’s Ashes with a stress fracture of the back. Jeetan Patel said,
“You noticed he was a little sluggish trying to get to balls, but he stuck at it and I thought he bowled well considering. He tried everything and he used the options he had, bearing in mind he was a bit hampered.”
“That’s what Jack does for this team, he’ll always put in, but it’s a bit of a shame from where he’s come (with his rehabilitation), to dive on one at fine leg and all of a sudden you’re hobbling around.”
The assistant coach said, “For him to come back and keep bowling the overs he did. I believe he’ll be back in the fourth innings.”
Team India took 175 runs at the end of the second day’s play in Hyderabad. They have put on 421 runs at the loss of seven wickets. Earlier, England scored 246 runs, batting first in the test match.
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