England's ailing Leach heading home from South Africa

England spinner Jack Leach is to return home from South Africa on Thursday after battling a series of health issues, including a recent bout of sepsis, tour officials have anunced. Somerset left-armer missed final Test against New Zealand and has t bowled a ball competitively in South Africa after being hit by bouts of flu and gastroenteritis. England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement that 28-year-old, who also suffers from Crohn's disease, "has struggled to fully recover from sepsis he picked up during tour of New Zealand".

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England's ailing Leach heading home

He "has t been able to reach expected levels of fitness to be considered for selection", it added. England head coach Chris Silverwood said: "It has been an unfortunate time for Jack with illness and since Test series in New Zealand six weeks ago he hasn't been able to get 100 percent fit."  bespectacled Leach became a cult hero for his stoic resistance while Ben Stokes produced a match-winning innings in last year's third Test against Australia.

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Leach's Somerset teammate Dom Bess played in second Test win at Cape Town, having originally arrived as cover and is in line to retain his place at Port Elizabeth on Thursday. Leach is third player to be ruled out of a tour that has been disrupted by frequent medical bulletins, joining Rory Burns (ankle) and James Anderson (rib) on sidelines. At least 11 members of playing squad have fallen ill during tour, along with about half a dozen backroom staff. third Test in four-match series against South Africa starts at St George's Park on Thursday. series is all square at 1-1. 

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