Pietersen labels Leach a "laughing stock"

"It's doing my head in that a bloke who's supposed to win games for England is becoming a laughing stock"

In the wake of England's Ashes defeat Kevin Pietersen has suggested that spinner Jack Leach "isn’t doing his job."

The bowler has obtained cult status following his 92 against Ireland and match-winning 10th wicket stand with Ben Stokes to win the third Ashes Test at Headingley, but Pietersen isn't impressed with Leach's growing reputation.

"It's doing my head in that a bloke who's supposed to win games for England is becoming a laughing stock." Pietersen told Betway.

"You've got people in the stands taking the mickey out of him, wearing masks and fake glasses. England have lost an Ashes series and he’s only taken eight wickets at 30 in three Test matches. It doesn't look like he's troubled anyone. It just annoys me."

Leach is not the first England spinner to be a joke figure among supporters. Graeme Swann was a lively character while Monty Panesar spent several years being mocked for his questionable batting and fielding, but Pietersen argues they were still contributing to the team.

"When we beat Australia, Graeme Swann took big wickets for us. We had Monty Panesar, who everybody laughed at when he fielded the ball, but he knocked over the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. He also got big Australian wickets.

"When we beat India in India, he and Swann bowled beautifully. Yes, some people laughed but they were still doing their job.

"Leach isn't doing his job."

^{Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar were both comedic members of England teams but justified themselves by performing on the pitch}

It would be unreasonable to blame the series loss entirely on Leach. It is no secret that the ECB have focussed much of their attention on ODI cricket over the last four years, and while that strategy did bring England a World Cup it has somewhat damaged their Test side.

"I never agreed with that situation. Test cricket is the pinnacle and we need to do everything we can to preserve it.

"I put a poll out on Twitter and people are saying they would rather win the Ashes than win the World Cup."

England's one-day focus has ushered the likes of Jason Roy into the Test team this summer and while the Surrey batsman is as destructive as any with the white ball he has struggled in the longer format.

"I don't think Roy has helped himself at all, even at number four. As positive as I have been about him, he needs to go and sort his technique out, because – and I hate to say it – it isn't good enough for Test cricket at the moment.

"I'm not saying he can't get there, because I think he's an amazing player."

One positive to come out of the series is Roy's fellow opener, Rory Burns.

The Surrey batsman, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka last November, has shown resilience against Australia's rampant attack, despite his unorthodox technique.

"I have been very impressed by Burns. I played with him for a number of years at Surrey. He always asked the right questions and he trains hard.

"He's done a really, really nice job at the top of the order. It's just so nice to see that he has got that mental fortitude and fighting spirit to do things that may not look authentic but get the job done.

"He's got his own technique and he backs it."