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Jack Leach leaves England’s tour of South Africa after failing to recover from illness

The left-arm spinner has endured a myriad of health problems in the last three months

Vithushan Ehantharajah
Tuesday 14 January 2020 12:02 GMT
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Jack Leach has been sent home
Jack Leach has been sent home

Jack Leach is to return home with immediate effect from England’s tour of South Africa after failing to make a full recovery from the illness he has been battling since November.

The left-arm spinner was hospitalised in New Zealand at the end of November with gastroenteritis which was exacerbated by his Crohns disease. It was during this period he contracted sepsis.

Another bout of gastroenteritis and flu meant he missed the first Test in South Africa at Centurion, and then the second at Newlands. Having spent so much time in recovery, the 28-year old’s fitness levels had understandably dropped.

This was particularly noticeable after a rigorous training drill on Sunday at St George’s Park. Leach, who has 10 Test caps so far, struggled to keep pace and had to take a break while it was still going on as the intensity took its toll.

After consultations with the medical team, it was agree that Leach’s best hope of recovering fully would be to return home. He will depart Port Elizabeth for the UK on Thursday, when the third Test commences.

“It has been an unfortunate time for Jack with illness and since the Test series in New Zealand six weeks ago, he hasn’t been able to get 100 per cent fit,” said England head coach Chris Silverwood.

“This has hampered his preparation in South Africa and despite his best endeavours he is not in a position to make himself available for selection for the final two Test matches.

“He is a great lad to have around the squad and his infectious personality and popularity will be missed. However, his focus has to be getting himself better and receiving the optimum levels of recovery and treatment, which is best served back in England without any distractions.

“I have no doubt that he will return to full fitness in the medium-term and hopefully he will recover in time for our tour of Sri Lanka in March.”

Dom Bess, Leach’s Somerset teammate who deputised for the left-arm spinner at Newlands and took two for 119 in 60 overs in the match, is set to keep his place for the third Test. Lancashire’s Matt Parkinson, a leg spinner, is the other slow option.

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