Leach falling back in love with cricket

JACK Leach insists fighting to reclaim his status as England's number-one spinner is 'not important' after a summer of introspection helped rekindle his love of the game.

- RORY DOLLARD

Leach lost his first-choice spot to Somerset colleague Shoaib Bashir earlier this year, having initially surrendered his grip when a knee injury forced him out of the tour to India.

The pair have played in tandem during this month's series in Pakistan, which goes to a third Test decider in Rawalpindi on Thursday, but Leach, a dozen years older at 33, has again looked like the senior man.

The left-armer has 14 wickets at 26.50 compared to Bashir's six at 51.16 and is the only bowler from either side to be trusted with more than 100 overs so far.

Should he impress again this week it could test the conviction of the England selectors, but Leach is unmoved by the idea of striving for supremacy with his Taunton team-mate.

"For me it's all about the team. I'm maybe at an age where that's all that really matters to me," he said.