Adil Rashid Gives England an Unfamiliar and Welcome Dilemma

The first Ashes Test match at Cardiff gets underway on July 8. The 13-man England squad has been named, and after a positive ODI series win against New Zealand, the team looks confident and settled.

The majority of the England side could be named now. But there is one question that has stirred debate: Should England pick Adil Rashid?

Rashid is a rare asset for England. He is an attacking leg-spinner capable of spinning the ball both ways. At his best, he bewilders batsmen with his variation and flight; he sustains pressure and takes wickets. Rashid is yet to win a Test cap but has played 11 ODIs for England.

His form, both for Yorkshire and in the recent ODI series against New Zealand, has forced the selectors to take notice. He has maintained confidence and focus to banish worries about his temperament and consistency.

Rashid does bowl too many boundary balls—he has a tendency to drop short or over-pitch with regularity—but the positives still outweigh the negatives.

The Yorkshireman is benefiting from a swell of support, both from the public and influential ex-players.

Both Michael Vaughan and Geoffrey Boycott have called on England to pick Rashid, with Vaughan telling the Telegraph that “Rashid might be the difference when it comes to getting rid of the tail."

Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie told the Guardian that with Joe Root and Adam Lyth providing off-spin options, England should be bold and pick Rashid.

Similarly, on Sky Sports News HQ, ex-England spinner Ashley Giles praised the England management’s intent in picking Rashid in the squad (h/t Sky Sports).

The question of Rashid’s selection centres on the form of Moeen Ali. The Worcestershire all-rounder has been England’s first-choice spinner for a year and has taken 33 wickets in 11 Tests so far.

However, Moeen has struggled for consistency with his bowling recently, and with Root and Lyth also in the side, his worth may be questioned.  

It seems most likely that Moeen will keep his place and that the conditions in Cardiff will determine whether Rashid plays.

"Adil Rashid's inclusion provides Alastair [Cook] and Trevor [Bayliss] with plenty of bowling options and the surface at Cardiff will dictate who makes the final XI," England's national selector, James Whitaker, told ESPNCricinfo.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Ben Stokes’ inclusion as an all-rounder means that if the wicket at the SWALEC Stadium is judged to be worthy of two spinners, England will still have three seamers. James Anderson and Stuart Broad will play, leaving a straight choice between Rashid, Mark Wood and Steven Finn.

This wealth of riches should be seen as a luxury rather than a selection dilemma.

If dry weather continues and the wicket looks likely to deteriorate, Rashid could be a match-winner in the final few days on a spinning wicket. If not, then he can be kept back for later games.

In his first media interview, new England coach Trevor Bayliss spoke about the need for an attacking mentality. If called upon, Rashid could certainly play his part.

Rashid clearly offers England a commodity that historically, and certainly recently, they have not had. As EPSNCricinfo’s George Dobell points out, England have not won a Test match playing two spinners since 1985.

As that detail shows, England have never been renowned for their spin bowling. Ashley Giles, Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann have all been successful as a lone spinner over the years. The fact England have a choice before this Ashes series is an indication of depth.

There is a palpable clamour for Rashid to play; he represents the variation, excitement and boldness fans crave from this new England era.

But regardless of whether Rashid plays, his selection is a positive sign.