Ollie Robinson cricket: Why is Jack Leach not playing today’s first Test vs New Zealand?

Dixit Bhargav | 02/06/2021
Ollie Robinson cricket: Why is Jack Leach not playing today's first Test vs New Zealand?

Jack Leach not playing: England have opted for an all-pace bowling attack for the first international match of this summer.

During the first day of the first Test of the ongoing New Zealand’s tour of England at Lord’s, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has won the toss and chose to bat on a wicket which should favour the batsmen especially due to the prevailing weather conditions.

“There’s always a few things to consider here. Looks like a reasonable surface. [Preparation] It’s been mixed in terms of the weather. Guys have been working really hard. The focus is on this series. We know how strong this England side is. It’s about trying to stick to our plans as best we can,” Williamson told Sky Sports Cricket at the toss.

As far as their combination is concerned, New Zealand have handed debut to batsman Devon Conway and included a couple of all-rounders in Colin de Grandhomme and Mitchell Santner. The development means that all-rounder Daryl Mitchell will have to wait for his chance despite scoring a century in his last Test.

Why is Jack Leach not playing Lord’s Test vs New Zealand?

Unlike New Zealand, England will take the field with a four-man pace attack which has no place for spinner Jack Leach. While captain Joe Root didn’t provide any rationale behind Leach’s omission, an extra layer of grass on the surface hints at why the hosts have played four specialists pacers.

“We would have batted as well but we have an opportunity to make use of some fresh green grass on that wicket. It’s great to have a crowd in – really special for everyone involved. Jack Leach misses out and we’re going to play four seamers,” Root told Sky Sports Cricket at the toss.

In addition to wicket-keeper batsman James Bracey, England have also handed a debut to fast bowler Ollie Robinson. The development has resulted in more wait for the likes of Olly Stone and Craig Overton.

In the five matches that he’s played for Sussex in County Championship 2021, Robinson has picked 29 wickets at an average and strike rate of 14.72 and 35.3 respectively. Overall, Robinson’s 279 wickets in 63 first-class matches have come at 21.04 and 42.30.

Post Edited By: Dixit Bhargav
England Jack Leach New Zealand New Zealand tour of England 2021 Ollie Robinson

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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