NEWS
Follow UsEven though Jack Leach is more or less confirmed to be in the Playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand at Edgbaston, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have added Yorkshire spinner Dom Bess to the squad as a cover. The off-spinning allrounder will just be there in case an emergency arises as it is understood that Leach is fully fit and doesn't have any illness.
"The reason we've added Dom is that any cover we may need has to be in here with us," Chris Silverwood, the England coach, said. "If Jack was to feature, we would need back-up for him in terms of concussion replacements and things like that.
"If we are looking at playing a spinner and Jack were to get injured leading into the game, then we will need someone else there as well. It's making sure we cover that.
"Are we expecting a spinning wicket? We will see when we get there, but I'm making sure we've got every base covered."
The first Test of the series at Lord's ended in a draw with the third day's game being washed out. England were also fined 40% of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate and that might have prompted the English team management to take the call of bringing Jack Leach back to the squad.