JOE Leach says it feels “very satisfying” to be Worcestershire’s new vice-captain and that he is not afraid to voice his opinion if the situation demands.

Leach has taken over as second in command to captain Daryl Mitchell now that Moeen Ali, who is currently in action for England in the United Arab Emirates against Pakistan, is away on England duty for lengthy periods.

Worcestershire’s newly-crowned players’ player of the year captained the second XI during 2014 and took over the reins when Mitchell was absent on the third day of the LV= County Championship match with Sussex last month after his wife went into labour.

Worcestershire assistant coach-bowling coach Matt Mason believes Leach has the potential to be a leader at New Road in the future.

Leach said: “It shows how far I’ve come in a relatively short space of time from being out of the side at the start of the year to being seen as one of the integral members of it.

“It’s very satisfying.”

As regards being seen as a future captain by Mason, Leach said: “It is nice to be seen as a leader.

“I did a bit of it in the second team and I really enjoy it.

“It’s something that comes relatively naturally to me.

“I like leading from the front and I really try and buy into the team ethos and make sure we are winning games for each other and stuff like that.”

Mason also feels Leach is not afraid to speak his mind and the all-rounder said: “I think that’s probably fair.

“I like things to be done the right way. I’m not stubborn or rigid about the way things should be done.

“But if there is a way we buy into as a team and it’s not being done, I’m happy to say I don’t agree with it.

“I don’t stand much nonsense in that regard.

“I won’t suffer fools gladly and if people don’t want to be here or don’t want to pull their weight, I’ll certainly tell them that they should be.

“After all, we are all in this together and we all want to win games for Worcestershire and if people aren’t doing that, then I’m happy to say.”

Meanwhile, opener Moeen was dismissed for 35 in England’s high-scoring Test with Pakistan.