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Friday 12 February 2021

Leach should relish Pant's challenge

I was curious to see commentators questioning Jack Leach's confidence following the brilliant and fearless attack on him by Rishahb Pant in the first innings at Chennai. Why? 

Any spinner worth his salt enjoys a batsman coming down the pitch with agressive intent (they are not quite so keen on the more selective and disruptive Pujara style approach). Furthermore everything was in Leach's favour: the pitch was turning, there was significant rough outside the left-handers off stump, India were under pressure and conceding runs didn't matter. You literally couldn't ask for a more perfect situation. If you don't enjoy bowling under those conditions then you are in the wrong job. 

Leach actually bowled quite well, his opponent simply batted better and earnt the luck that he needed to survive and prosper. Yes perhaps Leach could have been more accurate, hitting the footmarks a little more consistently, he could have varied his pace and line a touch more too, specifically throwing the ball wider and a little slower but overall he did little wrong. Pant won this time but he defied the odds to do so. If the two find themselves in the same situation repeatedly over the four Test match series then put your money on Leach. 

Vitally he received strong support from his captain. Root backed him right up to the point where Pant's wonderful eye began to shift the odds in India's favour. Bringing Leach back soon after Pant's departure showed his continued confidence in his number one spinner, essential given the inconsistency of Dom Bess. 

It seems Kohli has requested old fashioned 'bunsens' for the rest of the series. Leach should be licking his lips.


 

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