Jack Leach opens up on 'epic' Old Trafford atmosphere of 2019 as Ashes parade travels to Manchester

The Ashes 2023 has stood up to all expectations so far, with Australia winning the first two Tests of the series to establish their dominance and England making a sensational comeback in the series to clinch the third Test. Both sides have a lot to play for as the fourth Test approaches.

It is worth noting that the fourth Test of the Ashes 2023 will be held at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground and is scheduled to begin from July 19. Throwing back to the Ashes 2019, Ben Stokes completed a sensational run chase for England at Headingley and went on to play the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

The reception the English players received from the crowd in Manchester in 2019 was a sight to behold. Coming off a brilliant win at Headingley, the players were greeted with a standing ovation. Speaking of the same, English spinner Jack Leach heaped massive praise on the atmosphere of the crowd in Northern England. 

Leach was of the opinion that the entirety of the English team likes to play up north, as the crowd support they receive is immense. He also reminisced over the atmosphere at Headingley and Old Trafford in the Ashes 2019.

"Old Trafford was the Test after Headingley in 2019. I walked out [to bat] to a standing ovation and everyone had their shoes off, were drinking out of their shoes. Hopefully, more of the same [next week]. We tend to like playing up north; those sorts of grounds seem to be good for us. The crowd is epic up in those places," Jack Leach said on Vaughany and Tuffers podcast.

"On those grounds you feel like the opposition gets it a bit like you get when you go to those places. I think that can actually make a big difference, they talk about the crowd being a 12th man, and those places [Leeds and Manchester] it definitely is. That’s a shame. I don’t know what the reasons are. We should just play all five at Headingley, shouldn’t we?" he added.