The Ashes: Gale confident that Adil Rashid can shine for England in Cardiff

YORKSHIRE’s loss is England’s gain, as far as Andrew Gale is concerned as Adil Rashid looks to make his Test debut in Cardiff on Wednesday.
GO-TO-GUY: Yorkshire's Adil Rashid shone with bat and ball during England's recent ODI series against New Zealand.GO-TO-GUY: Yorkshire's Adil Rashid shone with bat and ball during England's recent ODI series against New Zealand.
GO-TO-GUY: Yorkshire's Adil Rashid shone with bat and ball during England's recent ODI series against New Zealand.

The 27-year-old found out he had been added to the England squad to face Australia minutes after helping Yorkshire to a comprehensive County Championship win at Durham last Wednesday.

He joins county team-mates Joe Root, Gary Ballance and Adam Lyth in the squad, ruling him out of Yorkshire’s current four-day game against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

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But while the loss of Rashid and three other key players is a blow to the White Rose, captain Gale believes it is time for the leg spinner to be given his chance in the five-day Test arena.

“It was great to see Adil picked for the England Test squad – I just hope the lad plays,” said Gale.

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“It’s disappointing for us as he misses the Warwickshire game as he’s a big player for 
us.

“But it is also pleasing he is getting recognition and he had a really good one-day series for England.

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“Whether they play him as the only spinner or in a two-spin attack, I’m not sure. But I’ll be pretty disappointed if he doesn’t play.”

As for the series itself, Gale believes a good start could set the hosts up for what many people would regard as a surprise series’ win.

“I do think the one-day series has given England a lot of confidence and they are playing a more attacking brand of cricket,” added Gale.

“If England continue to play like that, they can go toe to toe with Australia and if they get a good start, there’s no reason why they can’t win the Ashes.

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“The Aussies will be aggressive, no doubt, but there are senior players such as Alastair Cook, Jimmy Anderson and Ian Bell who are key for England.

“Mitchell Starc will be key for Australia and Mitchell Johnson too if he hits form – but his record isn’t as good over here as in Australia.”