ENG vs NZ | 'I really enjoy working with Stoksey': Jack Leach

England have pushed New Zealand on the verge of defeat in the ongoing third Test at Leeds by virtue of some commendable individual performances. 

Chasing 296 runs, England have already posted 183 runs in their second innings in just 39 overs they batted on the fourth day. Despite losing both their openers inside 12.1 overs, the hosts recovered in an exemplary manner, courtesy of some stunning stroke-play by their two unbeaten batters, Joe Root and Ollie Pope. 

While Root is batting on 55 off 80 balls with seven fours and one six, Pope has blasted his way through to a magnificent 105-ball-81 with the help of twelve glorious boundaries. 

The English off-spinner Jack Leach termed the batting of these two Englishmen as 'unbelievable' and considered the fourth day a prolific one for the home side.  

"Great day for the boys. The way we batted was unbelievable," Leach said. 

To note, Leach had a memorable outing on the fourth day as the experienced spinner registered his fourth Test fifer. After getting the prized scalp of Henry Nicholls, Leach ripped through New Zealand's lower order, thereby playing a significant hand in restricting the visitors to 326 in their second innings. 

When quizzed about the reasons behind his success, Leach revealed that he has slightly tweaked his bowling action and tried to remain as upright as possible while delivering the ball, which worked wonders for him on the helpful Headingley deck. 

"I've tried to work on being as tall as possible in the crease and shortened my delivery stride. It's something you tinker with a bit and do what feels right," the 31-year-old said. 

Continuing, the veteran off-spinner stressed that he enjoys bowling under Ben Stokes' captaincy as the English skipper encourages him to bowl with an attacking field. 

As the Somerset spinner put it, Stokes has immense confidence in his on-field calls and trusts his men to execute their respective jobs, something he has never experienced before. 

"I am really enjoying working with Stokesy. I say, 'what about mid-on back?' and he says, 'nope'. It's really attacking, and I'm enjoying trying to bowl that way. On this wicket, what I do naturally is good. Stokesy's confidence in his decisions, and us as 11 blokes, I've never experienced anything like it", Leach concluded.