Rashid focused on extending his astonishing run

Rashid has scored 509 County Championship runs at the Bradman-esque average of 254.50.

Although that figure has been swelled by a tally of five not outs in his seven innings so far, Rashid’s statistics speak for themselves.

The 25-year-old has scored centuries in his last three Championship innings and responded magnificently to being given an extended run at No 6.

“Definitely I can continue this form if I stick to my processes,” said Rashid ahead of today’s game against Nottinghamshire at Scarborough.

“Sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don’t, but I know that if I keep doing the little things right on-and-off the field that I can carry this on.

“I don’t just want to have a good few weeks and then that’s it for the rest of the summer.

“I want to keep this going for as long as possible and to contribute strongly to the success of the team.”

It seems incredible now to think that Rashid was left out of the opening Championship game of the season at home to Sussex.

Yorkshire understandably went for Azeem Rafiq as their spin bowling option after some splendid performances towards the end of last year, a year in which Rashid, in contrast, struggled for consistency.

In 10 Championship matches in 2012, Rashid managed just 129 runs at 16.12.

He attributes the striking transformation to concentrating on playing his natural game.

“I just think I’m more relaxed this year and playing my normal game,” said Rashid.

“Things were a bit difficult for me last year, but this summer it’s all been going really well, touch wood.

“Batting at No 6 has certainly given me more responsibility and I’m thriving on that because going in as a proper batsman rather than a lower-order batsman gives me the time to get in and to get big runs.

“If you’re going in at No 8 or whatever, it’s pretty hard to score centuries from that position, and once I’ve got in I’ve been making a conscious effort to try to make the most of it, trying to refocus after reaching 50 or 60 and making sure that I look to go big.”

Rashid’s Championship innings this summer read as follows: 25, 50*, 36*, 180, 110*, 103* and 5*.

The only other players averaging more than 100 in first-class cricket this season are former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who scored 192 in his only innings to date for Surrey, and Rashid’s Yorkshire team-mate Joe Root, whose combined tally at county and international level is 889 at 111.12.

Rashid’s bowling has also shown a steady improvement.

Although he has captured only nine wickets at 44.22, the pitches have not been conducive to leg-spin and it has been encouraging to see him give the ball plenty of air.

“I worked hard on that aspect of my game in the winter,” added Rashid, who has had a lean time with the ball in recent seasons.

“I’m trying to be a lot more aggressive and looking to take wickets.

“I didn’t get a wicket in the last Championship match against Somerset, but I thought I bowled well and had the batsmen in a fair bit of trouble on a flattish wicket.

“Hopefully I can come into my own with the bowling side of things as the summer goes on.”

Today sees Rashid back at the ground where it all began for him in 2006, when he captured a six-wicket haul on his first-class 
debut against Warwickshire at Scarborough.

He is determined to carry on his good form against a Nottinghamshire side expertly led by coach Mick Newell and captain Chris Read.

“I really enjoy playing at Scarborough,” said Rashid.

“It’s a good cricket wicket and a nice ground to play at.

“Notts will be a tough game, but we’re playing really well at the moment and there’s no reason why we can’t carry it on.

“After losing that first game against Sussex we haven’t looked back, and we’ve got the momentum and belief as a team and a coaching staff.”

The Nottinghamshire side is set to include one of Rashid’s best friends in the game – Ajmal Shahzad.

The pair were bosom buddies during their time at Yorkshire and still keep in touch on a regular basis.

“I’m still in contact with him,” said Rashid.

“It will be great to see him again and I’m looking forward to hopefully batting and bowling against him.

“I’m sure there’ll be plenty of friendly rivalry between us out in the middle.

“He’s enjoying his cricket at Nottinghamshire and it will be good to catch up.”

[email protected]

Yorkshire looking to top-order to refuel title push: Page 23.
Page 23.