Leg-spinner Adil Rashid has on Sunday (February 9) made himself unavailable for England's forthcoming Test tour to Sri Lanka next month, saying it is unfair to return to five-day action despite not playing a first-class match for 15 months.
Rashid was asked whether he would accept a call-up for the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, where he managed 12 wickets in late 2018 to help England to complete whitewash 3-0, the veteran made it clear that he wouldn’t put his name for selection as he doesn’t think he deserves a Test place without getting the red-ball performances under his belt.
He further went on to insist that his main focus is currently on the Twenty20 cricket with England keeping in mind the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia later this year.
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His comment came after his Man-of-the-Match display in England’s series-leveling victory in the third ODI against South Africa at the Wanderers – which was his 100th ODI appearance for the country – where he finished with the figures of 3/51 including key scalps of Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma to help the side to beat the hosts by two wickets on Sunday.
Rashid told Sky Sports, “At this moment in time, I'm concentrating on playing for England in T20 cricket coming up in a couple of days. I don't think I would [put my name for selection] at this moment in time. For me to get into Test cricket, I've got to earn that right and deserve my place.”
The 31-year-old further explained, “It's something that I personally feel I've got to earn again. For me to get into Test cricket, I've got to earn that right and deserve my place. For me to get Test cricket, I've got to go back into county cricket, perform, do well, and then get selected on merit. It's a bit unfair for me to just say, yeah, I'm available. At this moment in time, I'm really concentrating on white-ball cricket. Maybe in the future [I'll come back to Test cricket].”
He signed off by saying, “If the selectors do ask me “if you are available, can you play?” it would be a straight no. I feel as though I've got to deserve my place back in the team.”
(With Sky Sports Inputs)
