OXFORD off-spinner Adam Leach is in line for his international debut after being called into the England Disabilty high performance squad.

The 33-year-old has been named in a touring party to face Pakistan in Dubai this winter, having impressed in several run-outs.

Leach, who has an artificial lower left leg following complications as a teenager, had not considered playing in a disability side as he felt the standard would be poor.

But having got involved, he said he could not have been more wrong.

“It is a very strong side. Most of the guys play Premier League cricket, while I am battling to stay in Cherwell Division 1,” said Leach, who plays for Oxford 2nd.

“Most of the players have physical disabilities. There are guys with a leg or arm missing.

“I can’t get across how good the standard is. It is equivalent to the Home Counties feeder league.”

Players are usually selected for the ECB-backed squad after performing well for their counties.

Leach said: “Oxfordshire don’t have a disability side, but I got noticed after some good performances in the Cherwell League and was given a chance.

“Surrey have now approached me to play for them.

“We played an able-bodied side in a trial game and I got a few wickets.

“They came out with no helmets, but then our opening bowler, a left-armer with one arm, nearly took the batsman’s head off with his first ball.

“He called for a helmet after that.”

He added: “I was listening to Test Match Special and heard that the England disability squad will go to Dubai to face Pakistan.

“I just hoped I would be in it, then I got an email saying I was selected, which was great.”

The squad was only set up last year, with England facing club sides as they build up to the Dubai trip and series against Australia next year.

A mark of how seriously the squad, who have received a good luck message from former England captain Michael Vaughan, are training is the emphasis on fitness.

“When I joined, they said you need to lose two stones,” said Leach.

“I thought they would let me go away and do it myself, but they have given me a personal trainer.

“I am now a stone into my two-stone target.”

Leach played junior able-bodied cricket for Warwickshire, but it is only in the last couple of years that he has started to rediscover some form, helped by Oxford’s director of cricket Rupert Evans.

“It is no secret that Rupert Evans is one of the best off-spinners around,” said Leach.

“He has given me loads of help.

“He transformed my bowling action and getting a lot of wickets is down to him.”