England dealt Jack Leach a "hospital pass" at the Gabba, says Phil Tufnell

The former international spinner said that Leach's nightmare experience on day two in Brisbane was just as much about poor team selection than the bowler himself

Jack Leach was "thrown a hospital pass" by England in the first Ashes Test, according to Phil Tufnell.

The former international spinner said that Leach's nightmare experience on day two in Brisbane - he was taken for 95 runs in 11 overs as Australia opted to employ an aggressive approach in an attempt to hit him out of the attack - was just as much about poor team selection than the bowler himself. 

The hosts ultimately succeeded in their goal, with England captain Joe Root introducing himself as a secondary spin option in the evening session.

Australia finished the day with a 196-run lead, as Travis Head made an 85-ball hundred, and are almost certain of going 1-0 up in the series.

^{Jack Leach struggled on day one against Australia (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)}

Tufnell felt for Leach, who has barely played red-ball cricket over the past two years, and was included in this match in front of experienced seamer Stuart Broad.

"I wasn't surprised they targeted him whatsoever," Tufnell told BBC Radio 5Live. 

"He got a little bit of the rough end of the stick - to be slung in on a green top in Brisbane.

"He got thrown a bit of a hospital pass in my book.

JACK LEACH vs AUSTRALIA AT THE GABBA

11 overs

95 runs

1 wicket

8.63 runs per over

"There were four left-handers in the top seven and they decided to just come out, play some shots and put him under pressure from the off.

"It would have been tricky for any finger spinner to be bowling in those conditions.

"He's England's best available spinner, but he shouldn't be playing. Stuart Broad should have been playing instead of Jack Leach."

England have used an all-pace attack regularly during the reign of head coach Chris Silverwood but opted not to use either Broad or James Anderson at the Gabba.

^{Leach went for 95 in his 11 overs (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)}

Both bowlers were seen at full pelt in the nets while their teammates toiled on Thursday. The pair are expected to come into the side at the Adelaide Oval for the day-night second Test next week.

Head, who ended the day unbeaten on 112 and will look to add to England's pain on Friday morning, said of the Aussies' display of aggression against Leach: "We were brave and had earned the right to take him on.

"It sets the tone for the series - we know it isn't always going to be like that and there will be moments where he bowls extremely well."

England bowling coach Jon Lewis said of Leach's performance: "It wasn't one of his better days and he will want to put it to the back of his memory.

"But Jack is a pretty resilient fella and I expect him to come back strong and show the character he has."

Our coverage of the Ashes is brought to you in association with Cricket 22

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