ENG v IND 2018: Nasser Hussain issues warning against Adil Rashid's Test call up

During the recently concluded ODI series, Rashid turned out to be the nemesis for India batsmen.

Adil Rashid picked up 6 wickets in 3 ODIs against India | Getty

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has warned the national selectors against offering a Test call-up to leg-spinner Adil Rashid against India. During the recently concluded ODI series, Rashid turned out to be the nemesis for India batsmen as he picked up 6 wickets in 3 matches at an average of 24.83.

Considering his stellar show in ODIs, England coach Trevor Bayliss on Thursday (July 19) said that Rashid could earn an England Test recall to face India if he changes his mind over red-ball cricket. However, Hussain believes picking him in the Test series would send out a wrong message for aspiring players.

"Make your mind up, Adil. One minute he's playing, one minute he's not. That's not how it works; you can't just say I'm now available. You play and then let the selectors select", Hussain told Sky Sports Cricket.

He also pointed out Rashid's uncertain approach towards the traditional format. It is worth mentioning here that the Yorkshire leggie had quit red-ball cricket earlier this year to concentrate solely on limited-overs cricket.

"If I was an England selector I would not go down that road. Dominic Bess, Jack Leach, Moeen have been trying as hard as they can to become England Test cricketers - I wouldn't pick over them someone who can't make their mind up. Also, you've got to look at the bigger picture; if he has one bad game, then what happens? Does he make himself unavailable again?" Nasser added.

Rashid is the leading wicket-taker in one-day and Twenty20 internationals for England this summer, with 25 victims, including Virat Kohli at Headingley on Tuesday (July 17) with a sharply-turning delivery that left India's captain awestruck.

Bayliss had cited Jos Buttler’s white-ball performances while making a case for Rashid's Test recall. Notably, Buttler was brought back into England’s Test squad following his awe-inspiring show in IPL 2018.

Hussain, however, rejected any similarities between the two players.

"It's different for Buttler. He did not make himself unavailable for selection - he was playing in the IPL but was going to come back and play red-ball cricket," Nasser Hussain concluded.

The much-awaited Test series between India and England will commence on August 1 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Lord’s (Aug 09-Aug 13) will stage the second Test while Trent Bridge (Aug 18-Aug 22), Rose Bowl (Aug 30-Sep 03) and The Oval (Sep 07-Sep 11) will host the third, fourth and fifth Test respectively.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 23 Jul, 2018

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