Wednesday 21 March 2018 19:07, UK
Jack Leach believes being forced to remodel his bowling action has ultimately made him a better player.
The Somerset spinner's action was deemed not to fall within International Cricket Council limits, forcing him to make crucial changes to his technique.
But having effectively been ruled out of possible selection for England's tour of India in 2016/17, he has now carried out the necessary remedial work required - with his new action passed by the ICC - leading to a late call-up for the two-Test series against New Zealand as cover for the injured Mason Crane.
Recalling the moment he was told his action was not perfect, the left-arm spinner said: "I was shocked. I think all that was on my mind was that I had to sort it out.
"The biggest thing I didn't like was being worried that [people might think] it was like cheating and that wasn't something I was trying to do.
"I just didn't understand my bowling well enough, and actually that's why I look back on it as a real positive, what I went through.
"It made me understand my bowling a lot better - it's made me a better bowler. It was a good thing to find that out, and something that's probably pushed me on.
"I got re-tested in the January, and all my deliveries were under [ICC limits], but it wasn't until the back-end of last season that I started to feel mentally back to normal."
Leach has subsequently earned his call-up on the back of a successful season with Somerset and some impressive performances during the England Lions tour of the Caribbean, where he took 8-110 against West Indies A in Jamaica, the best figures for a Lions spinner in a Test.
The 26-year-old knows he may struggle to break into the starting XI in New Zealand, although it may help him earn a place on the tours to spin-friendly Sri Lanka, as well as the West Indies.
"This is just a step in the direction I want to go," he added.
"I don't want to stop and celebrate too much. I want to keep pushing and keep working hard to then make my debut and try to force myself into a place where I want to be a successful England player.
"I'm quite an ambitious guy so I'll be working hard to try to make [it] happen."
Watch the opening Test between New Zealand and England. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket from midnight on Wednesday night.
