AM I alone at believing that the favouritism that supports all economic, social and environmental advantages going to London and the South East applies equally to the cricket hierarchy?

Somerset’s Jack Leach, now on the Lions Tour in Dubai, has been passed over for joining the England side in India.

His average as a left arm orthodox spinner surpasses either of the previous choices.

He took 65 wickets in the summer at an average of 21.88 per wicket compared with Zafar Ansari of Surrey, whose record was a mediocre 22 wickets at 31.41, and a million miles ahead of Liam Dawson of Hampshire, whose record was 20 wickets for 43.35.


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We are used to discrimination in everything these days in the South West, from the cost paid by Whitehall for state education in Somerset being only a third of that paid for a child in London as our MP has pointed out, as well as no infrastructure money as per Cross Rail. But cricket too?

Jack Leach brought up through the state system at Richard Huish College here in Taunton has been passed over and I don’t understand why.

Maybe if he had a Cambridge degree it would have helped his cricketing career.

JEFFERSON HORSLEY
Taunton