Chennai: England’s left-arm spinner Jack Leach said Tuesday his teammates helped him stay strong and make a comeback in the second innings. Leach took four wickets as England defeated India by 227 runs in the first Test against India which ended here Tuesday. In the first innings Jack Leach had taken a terrific hammering from Rishabh Pant. Riding on Leach (4/76) and James Anderson’s (3/17) fine bowling the visitors won.
Leach was taken to the task by a belligerent Pant on the third day. However, he shone bright when the hosts came out to bat again.
“Thought he (Pant) was playing in the IPL in the first innings. It’s a challenge that comes for a spinner. Was a tough evening that one but boys helped me stay strong,” Leach said after the match.
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Leach said coming from the extremely cold England, it wasn’t easy to get acclimatised to the humid conditions here. “Had a long time without any cricket (before the Sri Lanka series). It was about bowling those long overs in the heat,” Leach said.
“This is my first time in India. They have a great batting lineup and I knew the pressure that comes with it. Happy to take some wickets and get the boys over the line,” the 29-year-old spinner added.
India were set a world record 420-run target to go one up in the rubber on the fifth day. However, they were bowled out for 192 in the second session.
