As the 3aaa County Ground gets ready to welcome Worcestershire Rapids for Derbyshire Falcons’ final home game of the season in the NatWest T20 Blast, we take a look at bowler Joe Leach in our One to Watch.
As the regular season approaches its climax, the 25 year old sits top of the wicket-taking rankings in the competition, with 20 taken in his 40.2 overs this season at an average of 18.3.
With 37 Twenty20 games in his career, the seamer has struck 46 times at an average of 20.34, his figures include a career best 5-33 against Durham Jets back in May of this year.
The leading wicket taker in the 2016 Blast with 20, Leach also sits in first place on the PCA Overall MVP list with 340 points; 35 points clear of second-placed Keaton Jennings of Durham.
After a five wicket haul in May, the 25 year old has continued to torture batsmen up and down the country in all formats of the game taking 62 wickets in total so far.
Not just a bowler, as an emerging all-rounder, he has proved adept bat either putting in knocks of 64 and 51 not-out, and a 90, showing some prowess in first-class matches. With a potential to hit a long ball, he will disappointed to have a high score of only 18 in this year’s T20 Blast.
In the 2015 tournament, Leach had an economy rate of 8.83 and averaged 23.12 and took a total of 17 wickets for the Rapids as they progressed through to the latter stages.
The fast-medium bowler had to wait until he was 22 to make his first class debut for Worcestershire, he waited another year to make his Twenty20 debut in 2013 against Gloucestershire.
Leach’s record versus Derbyshire in this format reads as 8-126 at an average of 15.75 and an economy rate of 7.87 showing just why he’s the One to Watch for this Friday’s must-win match for both sides.
Supporters can save 20% by purchasing their NatWest T20 Blast matchday tickets in advance of the day of the game. Buy online, over the phone by calling 01332 388 101 or in person at The 3aaa County Ground.
Worcestershire Rapids – Fri 22 July – BUY
