Nathan Lyon: Jack Leach Remains England’s Best Spinner.
Veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has declared that Jack Leach is still England’s premier spinner, despite the rise of newcomers like Shoaib Bashir and Jacob Bethell.
Speaking at a Cricket Australia sponsorship event in Sydney, Lyon praised Leach’s control and experience, suggesting that those qualities continue to set him apart in England’s evolving spin department.
“Jacob Bethell is playing this Test match [at The Oval against India], and he looks like he’ll take over the spin role from Liam Dawson. But in my eyes, Jack Leach is still their best spinner,” Lyon said.
While Lyon acknowledged being flattered by comparisons to Bashir—particularly after James Anderson reportedly said Bashir had been picked to perform a role similar to his—he maintained that Leach remains the most dependable option.
“I obviously played with Jimmy Anderson last year at Lancashire, and they basically said they’re picking Bashir to do what I do. So I took a little bit of pride from that,” Lyon noted. “But Bashir has been okay.”
Leach’s Record Speaks for Itself
Jack Leach, who debuted in 2018, has taken 142 wickets in 39 Tests at an average of 34.07, including best figures of 5 for 66. Though he hasn’t played a Test since England’s tour of Pakistan in October 2024, his County Championship form remains strong. In the 2025 season, Leach picked up 39 wickets at an average of 25.66, including two six-wicket hauls.
A cult hero for his iconic one not-out during the 2019 Headingley Ashes thriller, Leach continues to be a respected figure in English cricket—even if team selection suggests otherwise.
With Bashir gaining ground and Bethell now in the Test XI, England appear to be looking to the future. But Lyon’s backing is a reminder that, in terms of reliability and temperament, Jack Leach still holds a unique edge.
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