SOMERSET spinner Jack Leach is certainly rubbing shoulders with the best during his winter away playing grade cricket for Wanneroo in Perth – and last weekend played alongside Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson, who was the scourge of the England batsmen when they played their last Ashes series down under took 5-30 while Leachtook a very creditable 1-25 from his 10 overs as Wanneroo enjoyed their best weekend so far.

This weekend, Leach was in action against Scarborough, who batting first were dismissed for 163, with the left-arm spinner sending down 15 miserly overs, three of which were maidens for 28 runs.In reply by the close of the first day Wanneroo had reached 53-2 off 23 overs, with Leach batting at three remaining unbeaten on eight.

Reflecting on his time down under so far, Leach said: “Time has flown by since I have been in Perth and I struggle to believe I have been here almost a month.

“I have settled in really well at my club Wanneroo, who have made me feel very welcome which I really appreciate.

“It is young team with a lot of potential which is exciting to play and be involved in.

“The wicket is very flat at Wanneroo, which makes it a really great challenge for my bowling but I've got off to a good start in the one day games and looking forward to getting the two day stuff started this weekend.

“We also had Mitchell Johnson playing for us last Saturday which was an amazing experience to see how someone at the next level goes about his business.

“He bowled the quickest I've ever seen anyone bowl and swung the ball late too, so I think he's in a pretty good place for the test series against Luke Ronchi and New Zealand.

“I've been sure to let ‘Ronchs’ know - also he gave me a lot of time just to talk bowling and cricket which was really kind of him.”