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Chris Waters: Rashid could make Test debut in biggest series of all
ADIL RASHID for the Ashes?
Don't be surprised.
The Yorkshire leg-spinner is playing for England in the Twenty20 World Cup and must have a decent chance also of playing against Australia.
The Test series starts in Cardiff on July 8 and although the
21-year-old is unlikely to feature in that game barring injuries, he could well be chosen later in the series if England opt for two spinners.
No other conclusion is possible after England revealed their hand by turning to Rashid for the Twenty20 tournament as a replacement for the injured Andrew Flintoff, despite the fact Rashid had neither the recent form nor Twenty20 experience to justify his selection.
Rashid had played only nine games of domestic Twenty20 prior to his international debut against the Netherlands and was not even deemed good enough to get into Yorkshire's Twenty20 side at the start of this season, with the county rightly favouring left-arm spinner David Wainwright.
But having bowled well against South Africa on Thursday and against Pakistan last Sunday, Rashid's star will only have risen in the eyes of those England selectors who picked him against the advice of those who believe he needs more time at county level to develop his craft.
Two important questions must be considered when it comes to assessing Rashid's suitability for the Test match stage.
First, is he ready for the considerable challenge that Test cricket will bring?
And, second, do England possess any better spinners than the Bradford-born youngster?
Personally, my answers would be 'how long is a piece of string?' and 'probably not'.
I have no doubt Rashid could potentially thrive in the five-day arena but there is a considerable risk in exposing him too soon – particularly against a side as good as Australia.
On the other hand, Rashid has displayed a terrific temperament in the Twenty20 World Cup – admittedly a totally different ball game to the Ashes – and is the type of 'X-factor' player who could well pose problems.
Rashid would help balance the Test team if Flintoff's injuries recur – although he would clearly not be a like-for-like replacement for the Lancashire all-rounder – and is a better batsman than England realise.
But the dilemma is: do you risk exposing a 21-year-old with only 47 first-class games under his belt to a potentially traumatic series that could shatter his confidence, or do you take the view that he could thrive against the best and help England win the Ashes? That is the dilemma the selectors now face.
Even in Yorkshire cricketing circles, the question of Rashid's readiness for Test cricket has long polarised opinion.
As far back as two years ago, Jason Gillespie, the former Yorkshire and Australia pace bowler, told me he thought Rashid was already good enough to be playing for England.
Matthew Hoggard, on the other hand, stated last month that he believes it is too early for Rashid to be playing in Tests – a view shared by plenty of others at Headingley Carnegie.
One of the biggest problems for England – and perhaps the greatest reason for thinking Rashid might feature in the Ashes – is who are the alternatives?
Graeme Swann has come on in leaps and bounds in recent times and will surely start the series after displacing Monty Panesar as first-choice spinner.
Other than Panesar, however, who else is knocking on the door? Rashid might get the nod as much due to the paucity of alternatives as his own blossoming ability.
Last year, Rashid comfortably out-bowled Swann and Panesar in first-class cricket and, in my view, is already the best spinner in England.
It does not necessarily follow that just because Rashid is the best spinner that he is automatically ready for Test cricket.
The word is that Rashid has settled well into the England dressing room and that the players have warmed to him quickly.
The young man has not been at his best for Yorkshire this season – he has arguably bowled better for England than he has for his county – but could yet find himself making his Test debut in the biggest series of all.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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