THAT'S ALL WE KNEED

'Serious' Leach injury adds to woes as England put to the sword

- RORY DOLLARD

ENGLAND are hoping Jack Leach can rally from a "pretty serious" knee injury after the sspinner struggled to play his part on a troublesome day in Hyderabad.

The experienced left-armer was pencilled in to lead the attack on the turning pitches of India but could only manage a reduced role as the hosts opened up a 175-run lead on day two of the first Test.

He contributed just 16 wicketless overs across three sessions and none of his spells lasted longer than four, forcing part-timer Joe Root take up the slack alongside rookies Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed.

Assistant coach Jeetan Patel revealed Leach landed awkwardly on his left knee while fielding on the first evening and aggravated the problem with a second blow after returning in the morning session.