SOMERSET's left-arm spinner Jack Leach was not chosen for England's tour of India due to concerns over his bowling action, it has been reported.
When Zafar Ansari suffered an injury, Liam Dawson was called up in his place, while Leach has been in action for the England Lions in the UAE - and has secured a Lions spot for their tour of Sri Lanka in February and March 2017.
Reports indicate that doubts about the legality of Leach's action emerged once the county season was over, following routine tests at the England and Wales Cricket Board’s national performance centre.
Those tests are understood to have revealed that his action may breach the 15-degree limit for the straightening of the elbow.
Today's revelation has predictably raised questions among cricket fans and pundits.
What great timing that the reasoning behind Jack Leach's omission comes just after yesterday's bowling shambles
— Jon (@Jonny__LFC) December 20, 2016
I'm watching far worse ....and with Leach, I would never have given it a thought ...in fact, he's fine https://t.co/0YJB8ie8Ms
— David 'Bumble' Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) December 20, 2016
While England have struggled in India, the hosts amassing 759-7 in the fourth Test yesterday, Leach is believed to have undergone remedial work with the Lions - while also taking five wickets against the UAE and Afghanistan.
Talking about his time with the Lions earlier this month, Leach said: "I think for me it has been about getting used to new conditions.
"I am always working on a couple of technical things to keep getting the action as strong as possible but, apart from that, it's about learning my game and adapting it to different situations."
Leach, 25, took 65 County Championship wickets in the 2016 season, more than any other English spinner.
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