Jack Leach’s serious knee injury adds to England’s troubles

In a tough blow for England on the second day in Hyderabad, Jack Leach’s left knee injury added to their woes as India took a commanding lead of 175 runs in the ongoing first Test. Leach, the main spinner in Ben Stokes’ arsenal, sustained the injury while attempting to save a boundary on the opening day.

Moreover, his left knee’s condition worsened during Friday’s morning session, thereby limiting him to just 16 overs out of 87 for the day. As per the spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel, Leach banged his left knee twice during the game. As a result, this led the spinner to field sluggishly in the outfield besides having to bowl his quota of bowling spells for England.

“He 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 gyp, to be honest. You noticed in the outfield he was a little sluggish trying to get to balls, but he stuck at it and I thought he actually bowled really, really well considering,” Jeetan Patel, England’s spin-bowling coach said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

“It must be pretty serious, or serious for him anyway, because the reality is he wouldn’t shirk that responsibility. It is sore enough. You watch him in the outfield and I don’t think it’s a graze. For him to come back and keep bowling the overs he did… I believe he’ll be back in the fourth innings,” he further added.