Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum teach me as much about life as cricket: Jack Leach

England spinner Jack Leach is aiming to win the 2023 Ashes, which will begin on June 16 and will conclude on July 31. Prior to the series against Australia, England will play Ireland in a one-off Test which will begin from June 1 at the Lord's Cricket Ground.

Meanwhile, Leach recalled an incident that occurred during England's tour to Pakistan in December 2022. The spinner revealed that he was ill when England captain Ben Stokes came to his room and asked him to play the match, which he described as “one of the great Tests" he have played.

“I think back to Rawalpindi (in December). I was ill, and so was everyone, but I was really struggling and have my own health issues anyway (Leach has Crohns). Stokes came and knocked on my door and in one chat, I went from not being able to get out of bed, to like 'let’s go!’, then being involved in one of the great Tests." Leach was quoted by Telegraph.

Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum just bring out this positive side of me: Jack Leach

Leach went on to say that Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum have taught him as much about life as about cricket. He also stated that they both taught him how to be a little more optimistic and credited them for bringing out the positive side of him.

“I feel Ben and Baz [McCullum] teach me as much about life as cricket, in a way. How I want to live my life, how I want to look at different situations, being that bit more positive. I have been someone who would naturally worry and think negatively, and they just bring out this positive side of me. And I feel very lucky to have had that," he added.

Leach also opened up on the prospect of Australia taking the attack to him in the upcoming series. "In my head, the same thing is going to happen again, in terms of their approach. I feel a more experienced international bowler, so I can deal with it. I have played in series since then, where it’s a similar tactic. Because we have such a good seam attack, they see an opportunity to take down a spinner. And Stokesy has intentionally exposed me to a lot of different situations," he said. 

"What I have proved to myself is that if I am on top of that situation, not seeing it as a surprise, knowing they will come at me, if I bowl well I have a great chance of making a breakthrough. Once you get a breakthrough, the opportunity for another opens up," he added.