JACK LEACH is to fly home from South Africa because of sickness amid fears over his long-term health.
It comes as England team medics revealed for the first time that Leach contracted sepsis a potentially life-threatening infection on the recent tour of New Zealand.
The Somerset spinner and batting cult hero endured gastroenteritis and flu in the early weeks of this tour and has not bowled in the middle since arriving.
Leach was hit hard by the illness epidemic that swept through the team and has struggled to regain energy and fitness.
Now the management have decided to send him home tomorrow the day England start their Third Test against the Proteas.
He is the third player in the past fortnight to leave the tour after Rory Burns, who injured ankle ligaments playing football, and James Anderson, who broke a rib bowling in the Second Test.
Somerset team-mate Dom Bess was summoned as cover when Leach fell ill and played in the win in Cape Town. He is a almost certain to play tomorrow.
Leach is more susceptible to illness because he suffers from Crohns disease, an inflammatory bowel condition.
England now hope he will be 100 per cent fit for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, beginning in early March.
They will likely field three slow men in the hot, dry conditions there and Leachs absence would leave the spin cupboard worryingly empty.
At it stands, the selectors believe Moeen Ali will be unavailable for Sri Lanka.
Head coach Chris Silverwood said: It has been an unfortunate time for Jack with illness and he hasnt been able to get 100 per cent fit.
“This has hampered his preparation and despite his best endeavours, he is not in a position to make himself available for selection for the final two Test matches.
He is a great lad to have around and his infectious personality and popularity will be missed.
However, his focus has to be getting better and receiving the optimum levels of recovery and treatment, which is best served back in England without any distractions.
I have no doubt he will return to full fitness in the medium term.
Leach has taken 34 wickets in ten Tests but is perhaps best known for his batting exploits.
These include an innings of 92 as nightwatchman against Ireland at Lords last summer and his one not out which helped England in their Ashes win at Headingley.
Leach spent several days in hospital in New Zealand last November and an England spokesman added: He has not been able to reach the expected levels of fitness to be considered.
“The England medical team believe it would be beneficial for him to return to the UK.
STOKES THE ROLE MODEL
Meanwhile, Ollie Pope has revealed how Ben Stokes showed him the physical fitness levels required to become a Test star.
Surrey batsman Pope is one of the most exciting England batting talents to emerge recently.
And all-rounder Stokes famed for his ferocious commitment to training was his role model.
Pope, 22, explained: Ive been on a few tours but it was in New Zealand late last year that I realised what was needed.
Id go under Stokesys wing and, after the warm-up games, wed run back to the hotel and do a running session the day before games.
I believe I have the game to succeed in Test cricket. Its something Ive known for the past year or so and I have a lot of confidence.
During Englands win in the Second Test against South Africa, Pope partnered the lower order and reached a valuable half-century.
He explained: It was quite new for me, so I remembered how some of the best players in the world have done it.
I recall watching Steve Smith and Virat Kohli against England and how, even when they were nine wickets down, they tried to face almost every ball.
Any young batsman will look at those sort of players, as well as Joe Root. Hopefully I can get some big scores and follow in some of their footsteps.
