Former Cardiff Met student Jack Leach shone over the weekend, playing a pivotal role in England's historic victory over Pakistan. England secured a thrilling win in the first Test in Multan, with Leach, a left-arm spinner, claiming the final three wickets on the fifth morning, sealing one of the most extraordinary wins of the 'Bazball' era.
Leach’s former Cardiff Met teammate, Rory Burns, also made history recently as the first Surrey captain to win three consecutive championship titles.
Current Cricket Head Coach and Cardiff Met Sport Development and Workforce Manager Gethin Smart
It’s been an extremely successful few months for current and former cricket players associated with Cardiff Met. Recently Glamorgan cricket clinched their second Metro Bank One Day Cup in four years, with a notable contribution from 9 of Cardiff Met and UCCE’s cricketing talent, showcasing the University’s UCCE (University Centres of Cricketing Excellence) programme.
Current Cricket Head Coach and Cardiff Met Sport Development and Workforce Manager Gethin Smart said, “I’m extremely proud of the role that Cardiff Met Cricket continues to play in developing student-athletes into professional cricketers. In the last 3 seasons, we have seen 6 graduates move into the professional game, not forgetting Lauren Filer and Nat Wraith from the Women’s section too.
Reflecting on Leach's development, former Cardiff Met (then UWIC) Cricket Head Coach Kevin Lyons, who coached him and Rory for three years, said: "Jack improved every year.
He was always conscientious, and it's no surprise to me that he's done well. He just needed the opportunity, and he’s shown great character over the years."
