Sports · Cricket · 2 hrs ago
England signal Jack Leach is not in their plans for the Bangladesh tour
England are looking beyond Jack Leach for their Test team, chief selector Marcus North said.
The Somerset spinner has not played a Test for England since the 2024 tour of Pakistan, but took 36 County Championship wickets this season.
Leach was left off England’s 2026/27 central contracts list, while other spinners, including Shoaib Bashir, Rehan Ahmed, Mason Crane and Liam Patterson-White, received deals.
England’s plans for spin have shifted since Ben Stokes retired this summer, with Dan Lawrence used as a spinner and Jacob Bethell expected to return.
England are assessing several spin options ahead of a Bangladesh tour expected in February, where they will face both strong spinners and quick bowlers.
North said upcoming opportunities, including matches for the Lions, will help England judge the players’ skills and how they fit the team.
The selection decision for Bangladesh is still to come, and Leach’s county form has not ruled out a future recall.
England chief selector Marcus North said the team is focusing on a different direction from Jack Leach for Test selections.
Leach was not included in England’s 2026/27 central contracts list, despite taking 36 County Championship wickets for Somerset this season.
North said other spinners could get opportunities before England select a squad for the Bangladesh series in February.
England expect the tour to test the balance of the side and want a squad with options for the conditions.
Leach has not played a Test for England since the 2024 tour to Pakistan.
- Who
- Jack Leach and England’s Test selectors, led by chief selector Marcus North.
- What
- Leach is not being considered as a leading option for the Bangladesh tour; North said England are focusing on a different direction.
- When
- North made the comments on October 14, 2026; the Bangladesh series is scheduled for February.
- Where
- Bangladesh.
- Why
- England want to assess other spin options and build a squad suited to the conditions and balance of the side.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Leach last played a Test for England during the tour to Pakistan.
Leach took 52 wickets for Somerset in the County Championship.
Leach took 36 wickets for Somerset in the County Championship.
England announced its 2026/27 men’s central contracts list, which did not include Leach.
North said England were focusing on a different direction from Leach for Test selections.
- Leach’s County Championship wickets, 2026
- 36 for Somerset
- Leach’s County Championship wickets, 2025
- 52 for Somerset
- England central contracts, 2026/27
- 39 players received deals
- Bangladesh series
- Scheduled for February
- Leach’s last England Test
- Pakistan tour in 2024
3 sources
What people are saying
But as it stands now, those selections around the development contracts and the central contract list show that we're focusing on a slightly different direction.
We've got a really important series in Bangladesh, which is going to challenge the current balance of the side.
But we need to have a squad that can give us all options in those conditions as well.