Jack Leach’s withdrawal from the Ashes with a stress fracture of the back has left England with ‘big shoes to fill’ on the eve of the series.
With no comparable spin option in terms of style or experience for the home side to choose from in the county game, whoever Australia are faced with will be a step down from Leach’s increasing reliability and quality.
As one of five ever present players in the Test side and joint top wicket taker in the last year under Stokes, Leach was expected to have a major role to play in this summer's Ashes.
