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England hopeful Jack Leach insists he ready to step up if called upon

Jack Leach of Somerset bowls during the County Championship clash with Durham

Somerset spinner Jack Leach believes he is ready to step up and perform on the international stage if called up to the England Test squad for the tours to Bangladesh and India.

Leach, who on Wednesday helped bowl Somerset to a crucial 10-wicket victory over Yorkshire to keep their dreams of a maiden County Championship crown alive, leads the way in the most wickets taken by an English spinner this summer with 58 dismissals in Division One.

And as the England selectors search for a third spinner to take this winter, Leach is confident of maintaining his form in the sub-continent if chosen.

"Playing for England is something I'll always strive for and I feel that if I was picked I'd be ready to give it a good go and do what I've been doing for Somerset," Leach told Sky Sports.

"I wouldn't mind going to Bangladesh. Obviously representing England is a big aim of mine, I won't hide that fact. I'd love to play for England.

"I've heard nothing from the selectors. I'm just concentrating on Somerset - we've got a good chance of winning the Championship."

England bowlers Adil Rashid (r) in action as Moeen Ali looks on during England Nets
Image: Could Leach join Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid as England's spin options?

Leach has enjoyed a remarkable summer with the ball, and has been central to Somerset's recent upturn in performances, alongside heavy run-scoring from the likes of Marcus Trescothick. They have gone six matches unbeaten as they vie with Yorkshire and Middlesex to win the title.

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The left-arm spinner took his fifth five-wicket haul of the season against reigning champions Yorkshire, the joint-most by any bowler in the Championship, to put them within one point of Jason Gillespie's men.

Relishing the extra responsibility placed by Somerset coach Matt Maynard on his players to marshal their own game, Leach has revelled in developing his bowling on the variety of pitches on offer this summer.

As well as asking Moeen Ali about the art of spin bowling while netting with the England team ahead of the Edgbaston Test against Pakistan, Leach has also been keen to pick the minds of experienced opposition players.

Mushtaq Ahmed unhappy with Pakistan's fitness and fielding
Image: Leach has spoken to Mushtaq Ahmed as he looks to master his craft

"I've played on wickets that have spun and with that comes pressure that you need to be the one to get the job done and get quite a few of the wickets," Leach said.

"Then playing away from home on some maybe flatter wickets that don't offer quite as much, I've still been able to be effective and do a different sort of role for the team, as well as pick up wickets along the way.

"I try and speak to as many people as you can about spin as you might just get that golden nugget that really works for you. I've had a few conversations with Jeetan Patel and when we played Pakistan I spoke to Mushtaq Ahmed. It's about getting a few different points of view."

Born in Taunton, home to Somerset's cricket ground, Leach knows better than most how much a first Championship title would mean to the county and its supporters.

Brought by his father to watch his first match at only two weeks old, Leach, 25, has grown up at the club, progressing through its youth ranks before making his first senior appearance in 2012.

As with many local fans, there is another reason Leach is so eager for Somerset take the top spot.

Marcus Trescothick of Somerset celebrates his century during Day Three of the Tour Match between Somerset and Pakistan
Image: Leach and his Somerset team-mates want to win the title for Marcus Trescothick

"It would be everything to win the title," Leach said.  "It'd be amazing for the club. We've never won it before so we'd go down in the history books; to be in that squad of players would be something special.

"One thing that is our sort of motivation factor is we want Trescothick to win it.

"He's signed on to play again for 2017, which is great, and he's still going really well and scoring a hell of a lot of runs and taking loads of catches, but we'd love to win it for him."

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