ENGLAND praised the emergence of Jack Leach today as they searched for crumbs of comfort after their winter of woe ended in one final disappointment.

Coach Trevor Bayliss and captain Joe Root were both impressed by the left-arm spinner on his debut against New Zealand in the drawn Christchurch Test which confirmed a second series defeat to add to their 4-0 Ashes trouncing.

Bayliss identifies Leach as the man in possession not just for next winter’s tours of spin-friendly Sri Lanka and West Indies but at home to Pakistan and India this summer too.

The 26-year-old has trodden a tortuous path at times towards international cricket, including when he missed a chance to tour India two years ago because of a Loughborough test on his action which unexpectedly threw up an illegal kink he had to iron out urgently.

He appeared in his element, though, in his first Test, unflattered by figures of two for 61 from 32 second-innings overs as the Kiwis dug in and also assured with the bat at No 10.

Asked about Leach’s future inclusion, Bayliss said: “He’s the one who holds the position at this stage and I thought he had a good game for someone playing his first Test.

“He had good composure.

“The wicket was still pretty good on the fifth day, but he didn’t give much away and I’m sure in time he’ll improve.”

Leach and returning fast bowler Mark Wood got their chances after England dropped out-of-form all-rounder Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes.

Root said: “They both played a massive role in the attack — to complement Stuart [Broad] and Jimmy [Anderson]. How they did was excellent.”

Asked specifically about Leach, he added: “I think it was a very encouraging debut.

“To come in and to bowl like he did, even though he didn’t probably get the rewards he deserved. I thought he stood up to that expectation of leading the attack on occasions.”

As well as his wickets, Leach had two important catches dropped off his bowling as New Zealand hung on for their precious stalemate on 256 for eight.

“He looked massively in the game throughout the day,” said Root.

“It’s great for us as a side to see Jack come in and perform like he has.

“At times, he looked like a top-order batter as well.”

As Bayliss reflected on England’s national-record 13th away Test without victory under his stewardship, he regretted five dropped catches.

“The result was disappointing, but the way we played in this game we gave ourselves a chance, which was more than we did in that first game,” he said.

“It’s pleasing we actually showed that we can play, but we weren’t quite good enough to win.

“I think on this occasion it basically came down to some dropped catches.

“I think if we’d have taken all of those we’d have been in a pretty strong position to win that game.”