England’s key spinner, Jack Leach, will play no further part in the ongoing five-match Test series against India due to a left knee injury, as confirmed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Sunday.
The 32-year-old sustained the knee injury twice while fielding during England’s first test victory in Hyderabad, where he contributed with two crucial wickets. Leach subsequently missed the second match in Visakhapatnam, which resulted in a win for the hosts, leveling the series at 1-1.
The ECB announced that there will be no replacement called up for Leach, who will be returning home from Abu Dhabi, where the team has been based before the upcoming third match in Rajkot, starting on Thursday. The left-arm spinner will collaborate with the England and Somerset medical teams for rehabilitation.
Shoaib Bashir made his test debut as a replacement for Leach in the second test, having missed the opener due to a visa delay, which was subsequently resolved.
The third match in Rajkot will be followed by games at Ranchi and Dharamsala. Meanwhile, India will also be without their batting stalwart Virat Kohli for the final three tests, citing personal reasons.
