Comment: Why Rashid deserves to feel let down by England

The country's second-best spin bowler has been overlooked not only for the Ashes squad, but the Performance Programme.

There are two separate strands to the Yorkshireman's omission.

First, Rashid has been left out the Ashes party because England believe Monty Panesar is a better bet to serve as second spinner to Graeme Swann and, perhaps more significantly, to act as sole spinner should Swann get injured.

Second, he has been bypassed for the Performance Programme precisely because of his omission from the main squad.

The reasoning here is both England and Yorkshire believe it would be better for Rashid to take a well-earned rest rather than spend most of his time bowling in the nets on the Performance Programme.

That way, they feel he will be fresher for the Lions' tour in the New Year when he will gain more experience by bowling in matches. But two questions must be posed.

First, why isn't Rashid in the full squad?

Second, as the Performance squad will provide cover Down Under for the Ashes party, surely it would be better to have Rashid on hand in case of injuries?

If Swann or Panesar go down or lose form, who would you want to draft in from the A team – Rashid or the Kent off-spinner James Tredwell?

Enough said.

Rashid can do all the resting he likes when he hangs up his whites. Until then, he needs as much exposure as possible.

England seem to have little idea how to manage him.

They dragged him around as a drinks waiter when he should have been resting, then they dropped him after he took some tap during a Twenty20 international in South Africa last winter.

His confidence must be shot to pieces.

Rashid was the country's leading spinner with 57 Championship wickets at 31.29 in 2010. He also scored 732 runs at 45.75 – not statistics usually associated with Panesar.

It is obvious to anyone who watches county cricket regularly that Rashid is the best all-round package behind Swann.

Obvious to all, it seems, except the England selectors.