Jack Leach: Coming to India and bowling spin here was one of my dreams

England spinner Jack Leach is stoked at the prospect of bowling in India and stated that it would be a great opportunity for him to contribute to the side.

Leach returned to England’s Test team following an absence of 14 months and even though his first few innings was less than impressive, he got his act together in the second Test against Sri Lanka for a three-wicket return and ended the series with 10 wickets. That has kept him nicely warmed up for the Indian challenge which he is embracing with open arms.

“Having missed so much cricket you have to remember to cherish and enjoy these moments. It’s my first time in India and to come here and bowl spin is the dream I had. So I just see it as a fantastic opportunity and one I want to enjoy,” Leach said in a virtual press conference on Zoom.

“It feels really good to be back playing cricket. That is what I get paid to do, so to be playing again is a really nice feeling. There is pressure all the time when you play for England. In India, there is maybe a bit more pressure with what wickets could be like.

“India are obviously a great side and they’ve got all bases covered so I wouldn’t want to make too many assumptions. I just know if I can get myself in the right headspace and bowling how I know I can, then I can be effective.”

Leach: I did feel a little bit rusty in Sri Lanka

The Somerset spinner, who was on his second trip to Sri Lanka, seemed a bit rusty in the beginning, and experienced Lankan batters like Angelo Matthews and Dinesh Chandimal picked his length pretty easily. Leach admitted that he felt the heat but was happy about the progress he made subsequently.

“It’s fair to say at times I did feel a little bit rusty,” Leach said. “You can do all you want in the nets but to get back out and play those games has been useful.

“I feel like the way the ball came out wasn’t exactly how I would like it. But I have to accept I haven’t had much cricket in recent times and taking wickets in the second innings is always a confidence boost.

“I feel good for the cricket and the overs but feel I have more to offer. I am probably someone who is never happy in a way and there is more improvement from me to come. Sri Lanka was a good start and I feel like I am going in the right direction.”

The four-match Test series will begin on February 5 in Chennai.