XtraTime Web Desk: England spinner Jack Leach on Saturday shared his experiences of growing a symptom like coronavirus during the tour of South Africa. Leach, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 14, spoke about having COVID-19-like symptoms which ruled him out of playing in South Africa.
Speaking at a virtual media conference, Leach said, “If you had the symptoms that I had (in South Africa) now you’d be thinking ‘this is definitely coronavirus’. I guess we’ll never know,” said Leach.
“I’ve spoken to my consultant and doctors and they felt the medication I’m on puts me at a little bit of higher risk, but what I did come through in the winter suggests I can fight things off quite well.
“I’m maybe not as high risk as others on that medication. My Crohn’s is under control, which is great for me,” added Leach.
A fit again Leach is confident of making a comeback into the England team in the series coming up against West Indies next month. The England spinner wants to be remembered more for his bowling skills than his batting prowess. His partnership with Ben Stokes against Australia in the last Ashes at Headingley is still talked about. He also scored a brilliant 92 opening the batting for England against Ireland last year.
“I’m going to tell people in the pub when I’m older that I opened the batting for England!,” said Leach, “But I do pride myself on my bowling: that’s why I’m picked, to do that. I want to be bowling teams out on the last day, and that’s what I want to be remembered for.
“Everyone talks about Headingley and it will be hard not to remember that but I’m working hard at bowling, and batting as well. If I keep being remembered for batting, I can take that,” signed off Leach.