England Cricket Suffers Blow as Jack Leach Withdraws from India Test Series Due to Knee Injury
Leach’s absence has prompted his Somerset teammate Shoaib Bashir to make his international debut, where he made a notable impact by claiming four wickets. Bashir received support from Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley in England’s spin attack during the second Test.
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England’s hopes in the ongoing Test series against India have been dealt a severe blow as left-arm spinner Jack Leach has been compelled to withdraw from the remainder of the matches due to a left knee injury. The 32-year-old sustained the injury during England’s triumphant first Test in Hyderabad and was consequently sidelined for the second Test in Vizag. As a consequence of his unavailability, Leach will be returning home, and England has decided against calling up a replacement for him.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed, “He will fly home from Abu Dhabi in the next 24 hours, where the England team have been staying ahead of the third Test in Rajkot, which starts on Thursday. Leach will work closely with the England and Somerset medical teams in respect of his rehabilitation.”
Leach’s absence has prompted his Somerset teammate Shoaib Bashir to make his international debut, where he made a notable impact by claiming four wickets. Bashir received support from Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley in England’s spin attack during the second Test.
This development is a significant setback for the England team, with the Test series against India currently level at 1-1 following India’s victory in Vizag. With the remaining matches of the series scheduled to be played in Rajkot, England faces the daunting task of regrouping without one of their key players.