ENG vs NZ: Jack Leach ruled out of Lord's Test with concussion, Matt Parkinson named replacement

England spinner Jack Leach has been withdrawn from the ongoing first Test match against New Zealand after suffering concussion. He will be replaced by Matt Parkinson as per the concussion rules of ICC, and the spinner will make his Test debut. Leach sustained a head injury while fielding in the sixth over of the first Test at Lord’s cricket ground.

Stuart Broad was bowling to Devon Conway and managed to produce an edge, which flew between gully and backward point. Conway was looking to unleash a drive through the covers but failed to connect properly. Leach gave it a chase and managed to pull it back inside the boundary rope. 

However, during that attempt, he awkwardly landed on his head and injured his shoulder and neck as well. Straight after this incident, both New Zealand and England medical staff checked on him and he went off the field. 

Jack Leach has symptoms of concussion: ECB statement

“Jack Leach has symptoms of concussion following his head injury whilst fielding. As per concussion guidelines, he has been withdrawn from this Test,” the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the series kicked off on June 2 at Lord’s. After winning the toss, the visitors opted to bat first. Batting first, the Kiwis were in a spot of bother as they lost six wickets for just 39 runs in the first session. James Anderson was in fantastic form on his comeback as he scalped both the openers cheaply with the help of Jonny Bairstow from the slip cordon. Debutant Matty Potts also had a great start by picking up three wickets including the big wicket of Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson as his first Test scalp. 

Leach was the only spinner with whom England went in the match. He has played 23 Test matches (including the current one) so far in which he has scalped 79 wickets in 37 innings at an average of 31.88 and economy of 2.86.

England updated squad:

Ben Stokes (C), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes (WK), Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Matt Parkinson, Matthew Potts, Ollie Pope, Joe Root