Jack Leach: "I wanted to give Stokes a big hug really because what he did there was very special"

The 17 deliveries he survived allowed his more illustrious teammate to take his side to an unprecedented victory

Jack Leach was almost lost for words after playing his part in the 76-run partnership that kept England’s Ashes hopes alive.

The Somerset spinner contributed just a single run to the extraordinary match-winning stand with Ben Stokes, but the 17 deliveries he survived allowed his more illustrious teammate to take his side to an unprecedented victory.

“It was a very special feeling,” Leach told Sky Sports in the immediate aftermath. “Like nothing I’ve ever seen before. The crowd was insane at the end. It was an incredible feeling.”

Leach, who made 92 as a nightwatchman against Ireland last month, came to the crease after England had fallen from 245 for four to 286 for nine. However, Stokes marshalled the strike expertly, entrusting his partner with one or two balls as the home side pulled off an unlikely win.

“When I first went in, it was about him having most of the strike and being ready to run two,” Leach added. “I just broke it down into the balls that I had to face and get through it really.”

Reflecting on his near-hundred at Lord’s against Ireland, Leach said: I said up there [in the dressing room] that I’d take back that 92 immediately for a one not out here. Very special.

“I just wanted to give him (Stokes) a big hug really because what he did there was very special. England have got an amazing player there.”

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