England spinner Jack Leach has been ruled out of the remainder of the first Test against New Zealand after he suffered a concussion while fielding.
After diving to stop a four, Leach landed awkwardly over the boundary and was immediately tended to by the New Zealand medical team. The spinner was able to get back to his feet after a few minutes and walked off the field to be assessed.
Unfortunately, Leach suffered a concussion and has been withdrawn from the Test as a result. Matt Parkinson will now make his Test debut, having been named as a concussion replacement for Leach.
A statement from the ECB read: "Jack Leach has symptoms of concussion following his head injury whilst fielding. As per concussion guidelines, he has been withdrawn from this Test.
"Lancashire spinner Matthew Parkinson has been confirmed as Jack Leach's concussion replacement. He will join the England camp later today and can go straight into the XI."
This Test was Leach's first at home since the 2019 Ashes and his involvement in it has heartbreakingly come to a premature end.
Aside from Leach's withdrawal, England have enjoyed a brilliant start to the Test, with seamers James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Matty Potts all picking up early wickets. Anderson celebrated his return to the side by removing both the New Zealand openers for one, with Jonny Bairstow taking the catches at third slip.
Broad, meanwhile, removed Devon Conway for just three as Bairstow took his third catch of the match. It was a hugely important wicket for England, given Conway notably made a stunning double hundred on debut against England at the same venue last year.
Debutant Potts also got in on the act, removing New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson for two in his first over in an England shirt. He then followed that up with the wickets of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell to leave New Zealand in all sorts of trouble at 36-6.
