Uncapped Test Player Could Play in Cardiff
Adil Rashid sees his inclusion in England’s squad for the first Ashes Test as part of his learning curve whether he plays at Cardiff or not.
The 27-year-old leg-spinner, who had a major role in the One Day Series defeat on New Zealand last month but is uncapped at Test level, is the only member of the 13-man party who was not on the four-day training camp in Spain over the weekend.
The Yorkshire bowler is one of two spinners in the squad, along with Moeen Ali, and both could play at the SSE SWALEC, which traditionally aids twirlers.
Indeed, Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar both featured the last time Cardiff hosted an Ashes Test when Panesar and James Anderson famously batted out for a draw in 2009.
“(I’m) delighted, over the moon. I’m very excited to be part of the Ashes squad and to be just part of the team so I’m really looking forward to it,” Rashid, who helped Yorkshire go top of LV=County Championship Division One with a crushing win over previous leaders Durham.
“It’s nice to be part of the squad and if I do get a heads up, I’ll obviously try my best and if I don’t, it’s no drama. I’m still part of the squad and it’s always a learning curve to be playing or not to play.”
Rashid is looking forward to working with new Head Coach Trevor Bayliss, who met the other squad members during the Spain trip.
“I haven’t actually spoken to him yet, I got a little message from one of the selectors congratulating me, telling me I’m in the squad for the Ashes,” he added.
“(Bayliss is a) different coach, positive coach, different mindset so I’m really looking forward to working alongside him and seeing what he’s got to offer.”
