Didn't see Leach as the main matchwinner - but losing him like this points up how important he was likely be to the team over a five Test series. Just isn't a particularly attractive like for like replacement around.
Might get away with four seamers plus Root in some conditions ; but they will need a spinner for several Tests. Who ?
Ahmed ? Did well in Pakistan ; but asking a lot of a teenager to step in : he's not done a lot with the ball so far in the CC and is likely to be expensive rather than a "control" option so as sole spinner would be a huge gamble. Wouldn't rule him out for later games but surely not the first couple ?
Moeen call up ? Please no : he's stepped away from Tests and not fair to him or England to try and drag him back in.
Bess ? Did OK when first selected - and has five wicket efforts against SA and Sri Lanka to his credit. But he seems to me (from a distance) to have lost confidence since being dropped on that India tour , and hasn't been tearing down trees in the CC lately.
Jacks and Livingstone : both capped in Pakistan. One got injured , one got six wickets ! But honestly they are both part timers with the ball ; so while they would be handy as bats I don't fancy either bowling 20+ overs on a day to Smith & co ...
Parkinson ? One super-sub appearance in a Test and since ... not much. Loaned out to Durham now I understand , poor chap
Unlikely.
Dawson might be the favourite ; which is slightly depressing. 33 isn't ancient for a spinner , and he brings experience and recent good form : but 7 wickets in three Tests (six years ago) at over 42 average isn't exactly encouraging.
Anyone got any wild cards ?