Thursday, September 28th, 2023

LEACH TARGETING HEAD COACH RECORD AFTER REACHING BOWLING MILESTONE

Joe Leach is targeting Worcestershire Head Coach Alan Richardson’s career tally of 569 first class wickets before he eventually hangs up his spikes.

The New Road pace bowler clocked up his 450th first class wicket when trapping Yorkshire batter George Hill lbw on day three of the LV=Insurance County Championship encounter at Headingley.

Leach will now hope to reach the 50 wicket mark for the season on the final day with two more scalps required.

He said: “In the context of the week it (the milestone) is probably small fry and to get promoted is a culmination of a season of really hard work and is really satisfying.

“It’s the third time I’ve been involved in a promotion season so the 450 is not necessarily the biggest thing to happen but still a nice little milestone to tick off at the end of the season.

“I’d be lying if I said I’m not extremely proud of it and the satisfaction comes from the hard work you have to put in to get the wickets.

“It is not the easiest job in professional cricket but I wouldn’t swap it for the world.”

Leach added: “How long can I go on for? Let’s wait and see but I’m loving it and am certainly in no rush to hang up the boots.

“Hopefully there are plenty more wickets and there is a certain Head Coach’s tally that is on the horizon.

“I can’t stop before that, I don’t think.”

Worcestershire will resume on 18-2 in their second innings, a lead of 145 after Yorkshire declared 127 behind, but bad light prevented any play after 4.20pm.

Leach said: “The plan when Yorkshire pulled out was to try and make a game of cricket of it tomorrow.

“Obviously the weather has impacted on things but both sides would like a game and put on a show for the last day of the season.”

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