The veteran Australian Spinner Nathan Lyon supported Jack Leach as an English premiere, despite the creation of Shaiba Bashir and Jacob Bethello. Lyon said that Leach’s control and experience made it the most reliable option in the current settings.
Lyon, one of the best Australian test goalies, admitted that he felt flattery when James Anderson said that Bashir was chosen to play a role similar to him. However, he claimed that Leach remains the best bet of England.
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While Bashir impressed and Bethell gets his chance in the fifth oval test, Lyon’s words emphasize the commands of Respekt Leach at the highest level.
“Of course I played with Jimmy Anderson last year in Lancashire and basically said they were choosing Bashir to do what I was doing. So I respect Jimmy a little of what I did in my career.
“Jacob Bethell plays this test match (in an oval against India) and it looks like Liam Dawson’s bowling looks. But in my eyes, Jack Leach is still their best spinner,” Lyon added.
Jack Leach Shining for England
Leach played 39 test matches for England, with 142 goals on average 34.07, with the best numbers 5 for 66. He made his debut in March 2018 VS New Zealand and last appeared in Pakistan in Rawalpindi from 24 to 28 October 2024.
Since this tour, England did not choose him: he last played tests in October 2024 in Pakistan. During his career, Leach had won fame for his dramatic unbeatable disposable portraits in the Headingley Ashes 2019 test, which helped England to chase a record 359 runs.
In the district cricket remains in the form: in 2025 it claimed 39 goals of the championship with an average of 25.66, including two six goal interests.
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Published:
Sabyasachi Chowdhury
Published on:
31 July 2025
