England head coach Brendon McCullum has given an update on the injury status of Jack Leach, hinting that the left-arm spinner may remain sidelined for further matches in the ongoing Test series against India. Leach sustained a left knee injury while fielding during the first Test in Hyderabad but bravely continued to play, even claiming the wicket of Shreyas Iyer in the second innings.

McCullum acknowledged the severity of Leach’s injury, noting the inflammation in his knee and the remarkable effort he put in to persevere through the pain during the Hyderabad Test. However, he refrained from providing a specific timeline for Leach’s return, indicating that the situation doesn’t look promising.

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“It is still pretty inflamed, but I don’t really know because he (Jack Leach) has been a crook,” Brendon McCullum revealed to the Belfast Telegraph. “His knee is pretty bad though, and it was remarkable he got through what he did in the first Test match,” he added.

Despite the setback, Brendon McCullum expressed satisfaction with the performance of England’s spinners, particularly the newcomers who stepped up in Leach’s absence. He praised their resilience and passion, highlighting their ability to thrive in pressure situations despite their limited experience.

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“There are heaps of positives. Our spin bowling unit, albeit young and raw, have shown they’ve got what it takes. The one thing I guess you don’t know about in the heat of battle is the character the guys possess,” Brendon McCullum remarked, as reported by Sky Sports.

As England prepares for the third Test against India on February 15 at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, they will likely continue to rely on their emerging spinners to deliver impactful performances in Leach’s absence.