Harmer urges Leach recall and better spin coaching — SkimNews
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- Simon Harmer urged England to take Jack Leach on their three-Test South Africa tour beginning December 17, saying the left-arm spinner would supply control and allow seamers to rotate through aggressive fast-bowling spells.
- Jack Leach has not played for England for two years and has no central contract, but has 142 wickets in 39 Tests at an average of 34.07; Marcus North said the team was moving in a “different direction.”
- England have used Dan Lawrence’s part-time off-spin to support four fast bowlers since Ben Stokes retired internationally in June, while Harmer argues a specialist spinner can hold an end for those seamers.
- Simon Harmer took 14 wickets in three matches during South Africa’s 2-1 series win over Australia, including a 10-wicket match haul in the deciding Test at Cape Town.
- Richard Dawson was appointed England’s elite national spin bowling lead to boost the national side’s spin game, but Harmer argues county structures still leave spinners “isolated” and without the tools to develop.
- Shoaib Bashir is on an England central contract, while Harmer identifies Dom Bess and Jack Carson as good enough for international cricket who need more guidance at domestic level.
- Michael Atherton agreed with Harmer, saying England still lacks specialist spin knowledge; he recalled first encountering detailed leg-spin expertise on his first Ashes tour to Australia.
Why it matters: England’s three-Test South Africa series starts December 17, putting Harmer’s recommendation against a concrete choice: Leach alongside the four-fast-bowler balance Lawrence has supplied since June. His wider critique also sets a development brief for new spin lead Richard Dawson—help Bashir, Bess and Carson through county structures, rather than waiting for an England problem to solve.
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