Trailing by 175 runs with India Cricket Team still with three wickets in hand, England Cricket Team are in a tough spot in IND vs ENG 1st Test. But the trouble has only deepened for Ben Stokes & Co. The left-arm spinner has suffered a “serious knee injury”. And it restricted his time with the ball in India vs England Hyderabad Test.
England’s assistant coach Jeetan Patel confirmed that Ben Stokes used Leach on Day 2 of IND vs ENG 1st Test cautiously due to the injury.
“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,” Jeetan Patel told the media after Day 2.
Joe Root bowls extensively
With Mark Wood ineffective, Ben Stokes opted to rotate Jack Leach in six short spells on Day 2.
And with Jack Leach in a reduced role, bowling 16 overs for no wicket on Day 2 of IND vs ENG 1st Test, Joe Root had to take the charge. The former England captain bowled 24 overs for two wickets.
“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,” Jeetan Patel added.
Jack Leach missed the entire English summer last season including the Ashes with a stress fracture. But in India, he was supposed to be the leading bowler, even ahead of James Anderson.
However, now, England are in huge trouble losing their ace. With Ben Stokes not bowling either, England’s bowling has looked pretty weak. Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja went on to score half-centuries while India have had five 50+ partnerships and two stands worth 43 and 36. At the end of Day 2 of 1st IND vs ENG Test, India posted 421/7.
“You noticed 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. 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, to dive on one at fine leg and all of a sudden you’re hobbling around,” Jeetan Patel added.
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