England spinner Jack Leach branded cricket a 'stupid game' after grabbing the luckiest wicket of his Test career thanks to a freakish ricochet.
Poor Henry Nicholls was the unlucky batsman who saw his firm drive on day one land in the hands of Alex Lees because his own teammate Daryl Mitchell deflected the ball as the non-striker.
“You do think, I don’t know, it is a silly game isn’t it?” said Leach who took 2-75 from a whopping 30 overs. “That is what it made me think…it’s a stupid game that we play.
“It was unbelievable, I didn't even know if that was allowed, I've never seen anything like it. I'll take any wicket I can and I think you get enough in the game that maybe you think doesn't go your way so very unlucky for Nicholls and very lucky for me.
“I like it because it says I’ve got two wickets on the board but I don’t actually like the dismissal. I felt I’d bowled pretty well leading up to that and you take it, but it is not a wicket I will rewatch many times.”
The hot conditions and dry surface meant that Leach got through a huge amount of work to help celebrate his 31st birthday the day before as New Zealand reached 225-5 at the close with Mitchell 78 not out.
And the left arm spinner was also marking his 25th Test appearance which comes with a new England cap, presented to him by James Anderson.
“I’m just happy to be out there playing,” he added. “And to have reached 25 caps was a bit of a surprise but a nice little milestone and makes you proud of what you have achieved.
“I didn’t think I would play even one Test so to play 25 is special and I’m loving playing with the lads. Jimmy presented it to me and spoke really well. He has helped me a lot through my games so it was a special moment definitely.”
