Leach in the Caribbean

Many of our M&H family have been plying their trade overseas during the first few months of 2022. Jack Leach has been enjoying the sunny beaches of the West Indies as England have just concluded their three-game series, falling 1-0 to the hosts. Leach spoke about his month on the sunny islands of the Caribbean.

“The West Indies is a brilliant place, the weather, the beaches, and the people, it’s a great place to tour. I certainly fell in love with the culture.

"This was the first tour without many covid restrictions and being able to go and eat out made it really easy to take your mind off the cricket in between games, which is really important to do. It was quite an intense tour in terms of time between games, but it was great to have my girlfriend Lucy out to support me and experience what the Caribbean has to offer.”

Though the wickets were more suited to batters during the series, this didn’t affect Leach as his heroics in the final test on day one proved to be the talk of the back pages. A crucial 41 not out and a 90-run last-wicket partnership with Lancashire’s Saqib Mahmood proved to be one of a few highlights for the #mandhfamily member.

“It was good to be out there and score some runs and put on a great partnership. It has been nice to have Marcus Trescothick out with us and the guys have enjoyed working with him. For me, it's been great to come full circle with one of my heroes growing up now coaching me playing for England.

Leach did speak very highly of the Barmy Army, who have been back with the England team on tour during the Ashes and in the West Indies.

“They were incredible, especially in Barbados, it was great to have them back in full voice, we certainly missed them. My favourite chant had to be, ‘He’s got no hair on his head’!

"Now my attention turns to the English summer ahead after I've had a short break at home. I am excited to get out on the field for Somerset again before England take on two strong teams later this summer."

England will be back in action on June the 2nd as they take on Test Champions New Zealand in the first of a three-match test series. Later, in the Summer the Proteas come to town. England will play them in another three-match test series starting on August the 17th to round off the Summer.