Joe Leach believes he is back to his best as he closes in on 450 first class wickets heading into Worcestershire’s final two LV=Insurance County Championship matches of the season.
Leach has amassed 417 wickets in LV=Insurance County Championship cricket, 19 in the Bob Willis Trophy, four in other first class matches for the County, and 8 in 2 games right at the start of his career for Leeds-Bradford MCCU.
It adds up to a grand total of 448 for the 32-year-old who has enjoyed another successful season in 2023 with 46 Championship scalps and is on course to finish as Worcestershire’s leading wicket-taker in red ball cricket for the sixth time.
Former Club captain Leach, who made his Worcestershire debut against Warwickshire at Edgbaston in 2012, previously achieved that feat in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021.
He said: “It’s been a good season and I feel, maybe for the first time in a few actually, right back up to where my absolute best is.
“That is a really nice feeling to have, so hopefully that can continue for the final two matches.”
In terms of wickets, Leach’s best season came in the 2017 promotion year with 69 in 14 matches and when he was the leading Division Two wicket-taker for the second year running.
Joe Leach by season in First Class Cricket
2012 – 12 in 7 games (4 for Worcestershire and 8 for Leeds Bradford MCCU).
2013 – 6 in 7 games.
2014 – 33 in 12 games.
2015 – 59 in 14 games.
2016 – 67 in 16 games.
2017 – 69 in 14 games.
2018 – 23 in 5 games.
2019 – 42 in 13 games.
2020 – 19 in 5 games (shortened season)
2021 – 38 in 13 games.
2022 – 34 in 8 games.
2023 to date – 46 in 12 games.
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