Among the many iconic moments of England’s record-setting win against Australia at the third Ashes Test on Sunday, the image of spin-bowler and no. 11 Jack Leach polishing his glasses before facing Pat Cummin’s lightning-quick deliveries, including the ones bowled at 90mph (144kmph), stands out.
Leach scored one run in 17 deliveries—as many as Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes combined—to keep England in the game and give Ben Stokes the chance to script an unlikely victory.
Throughout the madness, Leach was busy polishing his glasses, leading to many jokes and comments about his quintessentially British demeanour.
- He fended off 90mph deliveries from Pat Cummins.
— bet365 (@bet365) August 26, 2019
- He hit the greatest ever 1 not out in Test history.
- He's got free glasses for life from Specsavers.
- He's got the cleanest specs in England.
- He's the new national hero.
Jack Leach, what a man 🙌#Ashes pic.twitter.com/pGxqc5ez9q
As the match ended, Specsavers—A British optical retail chain—tweeted, asking “Does anybody know Jack Leach's agent? Asking for a friend... #Ashes”.
Does anybody know Jack Leach's agent? Asking for a friend... #Ashes
— Specsavers (@Specsavers) August 25, 2019
A couple of hours later, Ben Stokes himself tweeted and tagged Specsavers, saying “Jack Leach.....… @Specsavers do your self a favour and give him free glasses for life @jackleach1991”.
Specsavers then replied, saying that they would do just that.
We can confirm we will offer Jack Leach free glasses for life https://t.co/7rfPBK77GS
— Specsavers (@Specsavers) August 25, 2019
It was the perfect sign-off to an iconic moment in English cricket. A few Twitter users took the chance to poke fun at the controversial umpiring decisions in the match.
Stokes hit an unbeaten 135 to win the match for England and keep them alive in the series. The series is now level at 1-1, with Australia winning the first Test and drawing the second. The Aussies will retain the Ashes urn even if they draw the series.
