England spinner Jack Leach on Wednesday said he has been watching clippings of India’s spin bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as part of his preparation for the upcoming Ashes series.

The 30-year-old was inspired by Jadeja after India’s exploits during the Test series in Australia last year. “I don’t think (Jadeja) did too much different to what he does in India,” said Leach, who has played 16 Tests, taking 62 wickets, but none in Australia. “That’s another nice thing to see... He’s doing pretty similar things and having success.”

Leach also said that his Australian counterpart Nathan Lyon was “impressive”.

While England are beaming with the return of Ben Stokes for the Ashes, few players could be happier than Leach, who sees the pugnacious all-rounder as his own ticket back into the Test set-up.

Stokes’ absence through the home summer also saw Leach left out in the cold with the selectors preferring seam-heavy attacks for “team balance” against New Zealand and for most of the truncated India series.

Along with Stokes, England have brought another seam-bowling all-rounder in their squad in Chris Woakes, boosting Leach’s hopes of playing a meaningful part in the five-Test series.

“From the summer, the feedback was that Stokesy not being in the side, not having that all-round option in the top order, kind of made things difficult for me to get in the side,” Leach said.

“So I think having him back is great. Also having (Chris) Woakes back.”