Jack Leach has been forced to drop out of the remainder of England’s Test series against India due to a knee injury.
Leach played through the pain as England produced a remarkable fightback to take the lead, but consequently missed the second Test in Vizag as India levelled the series.
An ECB statement released on Sunday read: “England and Somerset spinner Jack Leach has been ruled out of the rest of England Men’s Test tour of India with a left knee injury.
“Leach sustained the injury during England’s first Test victory in Hyderabad and missed the second Test in Vizag as a result.
“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.”
Ahead of the third Test in Rajkot, live on TNT Sports, England have so far opted against replacing the 32-year-old.
Leach, who took two wickets in England’s opening triumph to dismiss India captain Rohit Sharma in the first innings before taking Shreyas Iyer in the second, will now head back to England for treatment.
England are left with the relatively inexperienced trio of Tom Hartley, Rehan Ahmed and Shoaib Bashir, as well as part-time bowler Joe Root as spin options ahead of the final three Tests.
Leach’s injury comes as a disappointing setback after he missed the Ashes against Australia during the summer, because of a stress fracture in his back
He had only just returned to the squad for the Test series in India.
The Somerset player has had to deal with a vast array of health problems and injuries during his playing career, which has hampered his time with England.
As well as the significant back injury he recently suffered, Leach also has Crohn’s disease and while on tour with England in New Zealand in 2019, contracted gastroenteritis which later developed into sepsis.
In addition to his long list of problems, Leach also had to be substituted out of a Test in 2022 because of a concussion.
Despite his troubling history, Leach has still managed an impressive record of 126 wickets in 36 Test matches.
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