Harmer wants England to recall Jack Leach

South Africa's Simon Harmer said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast that Jack Leach should be included in England's squad for the Test tour of his country this winter. Harmer said slow bowlers were being left on their own in county cricket because there are too few spin coaches.

England's balance changed after Stokes left international cricket in June. Dan Lawrence's part-time off spin allows England to play with four fast bowlers. The policy is expected to continue across all three Tests, which begin on 17 December.

Harmer, who has played for Essex for many years and took 14 wickets in three matches in the 2-1 home series win over Australia, recalled his 10-wicket performance in the last Test in Cape Town. According to Harmer, if a spinner is to be played in Johannesburg, Centurion and Cape Town, Leach is the best option because he can hold one end in the first innings. Harmer noted that Leach has taken 142 wickets in 39 Tests, with an average of 34.07.

Leach last played for England two years ago and does not have a central contract. National selector Marcus North had said the team was heading in a different direction. Harmer, however, named Shoaib Bashir, Dom Bess and Jack Carson as players close to international level, while arguing that they need more guidance in domestic cricket. The report also noted that England recently appointed Richard Dawson as elite national spin lead.