SOMERSET spinner Leach has retained his place in the England team for the second Test against Sri Lanka, meaning he will once again line up alongside ex-Somerset stars Dom Bess and Jos Buttler.

Spin bowlers Bess and Leach claimed a five-fer apiece in the first Test, which England won by seven wickets, despite neither bowling at their best after several months without competitive cricket.

After that win, Leach said he was looking to get "as much cricket in as possible", with England taking on India after the Sri Lanka series is completed.

""It's nice to get five [wickets] and I feel I've got better as the game has gone on, which is a good sign," he said.

""I had sepsis in New Zealand [in November 2019], so that wasn't a great time for me, and then went to South Africa and picked up illness there.

"It was a tough time so it's been about building back up slowly, and I think I am over that now.

"Hopefully now is about getting as much cricket in as possible.

"If I'm healthy and fit and able to play, that's the main thing, because I don't take that for granted."

The only change to the England XI sees James Anderson replace fellow seam bowler Stuart Broad, who is rested.

England team: Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (captain), Dan Lawrence, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Sam Curran, Dom Bess, Jack Leach, Mark Wood, James Anderson.

The second Test starts tomorrow (Friday, 4.30am UK time), at Galle.