- August 2, 2025
Imagine prepping for the Ashes, arguably the fiercest rivalry in cricket, and leaving your best spin bowler on the bench. Sounds like a gamble, right? That’s exactly what’s happening in England’s camp, according to none other than Aussie off-spin wizard Nathan Lyon. As spin continues to play a huge role in modern Test cricket, especially in tough conditions, England’s choice to look past Jack Leach could turn out to be more than just a bold move; it might be a costly mistake. Let’s break it down.
Leach: England’s Underrated Spin Ace
Jack Leach might not light up the highlights reel, but he quietly gets the job done when it matters most. You are unlikely to find him trending on social media in the way one does by blasting through the top orders in ten balls, but hit him with adversity, and he performs. Do you remember Headingley 2019? It was the brilliant Ben Stokes’ innings, but Leach’s one-not-out and composure to keep bowling without providing a poor delivery were just as essential.
Fully fit and firing again, Leach is bossing the County Championship—racking up 39 wickets at under 25, leading the spin pack with quiet dominance. So, it’s a little baffling that England has kept him out of the picture, especially in favor of a revolving door of spin options.
England’s Spin Carousel: Bashir, Dawson & Bethell
After Leach, England’s spin selections have been… let’s say, experimental. Shoaib Bashir—young, talented, and promising—was handed the job after a decent Pakistan tour. He’s shown glimpses of control, but in Australia-esque conditions (like on the England Lions tour), he leaked runs and struggled to find rhythm. Add in a finger injury at Lord’s this summer, and he’s been sidelined at the worst possible time.
After nearly a decade in the shadows, Dawson re-emerged in whites—less a comeback, more a cricketing resurrection. While dependable in domestic cricket, expecting him to suddenly take over Ashes duties was a big ask. Now, England’s gone with Jacob Bethell—a part-timer—for the final Test at The Oval. Relying on four seamers and part-time spin might work short-term, but over a five-day game, it’s risky business.
Spinning Down Under: It’s a Different Beast
This is where it gets even more complicated. In the upcoming Ashes series, which is in Australia, spin will become not so much about any magic deliveries, but instead (especially after everything that Lyon has been through), if they can handle the mental challenge. Lyon knows this better than anyone – he has built his career upon bowling on flat and unresponsive pitches in Australia. This is why he warns that (without someone who has shown control, persistence, and resilience like Leach), England could be in serious trouble.
Bashir, though promising, has already struggled in similar conditions. He leaked runs and was out bowled during the England Lions’ tour, raising more questions than answers. The truth is, success in places like Australia takes more than talent—it takes experience, patience, and grit. Leach may not have dazzling numbers in the 2021–22 Ashes, but he knows what to expect and how to adapt.
If England doesn’t give him the nod soon, they risk going into a series of extreme conditions without anyone truly ready for the challenge. That’s not just Lyon talking—it’s common cricket sense.
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