Adil Rashid

A clever operator, with a variety of deliveries in his arsenal, Rashid has perplexed many an international batsman over the course of his career. A useful lower-order batsman, he forms one half of the England spin twin attack alongside Moeen Ali

The Cricketer | 04/05/2019 at 04:11

Born: February 17, 1988

Role: Right-arm bat, right-arm legspin

England’s desire to fill the legspinner shaped hole in their side over the years has seen them endure an on/off love affair with Adil Rashid, and as the World Cup approaches it seems they are finally extracting the best from a player who first burst onto the first-class scene 13 years ago with six wickets for Yorkshire against Warwickshire.

An eight-wicket haul for the England U19s against India looked to have set him well on his way, but a stress fracture soon after caused him to remodel his action.

However, that did not stop Rashid from raising his profile, making his maiden Championship century against Worcestershire on his way to winning the Young Cricketer of the Year 2007.

A prolific 2008 County Championship with 62 wickets saw him involved in experience-gaining tours of India and the West Indies, but despite his consistency at the county level in the following years, Rashid could never convince on the international stage during the World T20 in 2009 and tours of South Africa and by Australia.

Tensions between Yorkshire and England subsequently rose as the latter demanded he bowl quicker, but a lack of confidence after returning from internationals saw the county also suffer and voice their concerns over his bowling.

The following four years saw joy, such as 732 first-class runs and 57 wickets in 2010, combined with commensurate frustration with just 16 wickets and 129 runs from 10 matches in 2012.

But 2013 saw him become more meticulous and thoughtful as a bowler, and just as his career appeared to be dwindling away from all the promise, his all-round performances saw him earn a recall to the Lions as Yorkshire won the 2014 title.

Trevor Bayliss’ instatement as head coach coincided with a recall for the first time in six years for Rashid, and while inconsistency still mars his Test performances, he has become a key wicket-taking option for Eoin Morgan.

He has a tendency to go for runs, but no bowler took more wickets has taken more wickets in the format since the previous World Cup, and his 5-85 in the West Indies in February demonstrated he starting to get to grips with bowling in all conditions.

Now as he prepares for a career-defining tournament on home soil, Rashid may finally fulfil the potential that Yorkshire and England fans have seen in spurts if he can use his skills as a frontline spinner to end England’s World Cup drought.

ENGLAND PLAYER PROFILES

Eoin Morgan