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Cricket: Ed Smith explains controversial decision to select Adil Rashid for India tests
England selector Ed Smith has defended the selection of spinner Adil Rashid for the upcoming test series against India, and attempted to calm fears over the future of the county game.
Leg-spinner Rashid, a regular in England’s ODI and Twenty20 sides, turned his back on red ball cricket earlier this year and agreed a deal to solely play in limited-overs formats for county side Yorkshire.
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He has been in inspired form for England’s limited overs sides this summer, taking 18 wickets at an average of 22.61 in England’s one-day series victories over Australia and India, which earned him the chance to make a first Test appearance on home soil.
The 30-year-old’s last Test appearance for England came against India in Chennai in December 2016, but his return is likely to come at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
The move has angered his county side, with Yorkshire chief executive Mark Arthur concerned about the message picking Rashid sends out on the value of the County Championship.
Arthur said: “We’re very surprised that England have called Adil up after not playing red-ball cricket this season. Neither has he expressed a desire to do so.
“I hope that England know what they’re doing to Adil, and the county game.”
However, chief selector Smith has defended the decision to pick Rashid for the test series.
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“The decision involved quite a lot of context,” said Smith.
“We are fully aware of the summer we are having and the likelihood or possibility that the pitches are going to turn. In the event of needing two spinners how would we get people into the side who can turn the ball in different directions?”
Smith says it would have been ‘eccentric’ to pick two off-spinners as England already have Joe Root as a part-time option. Jack Leach’s untimely injury has also ruled him out of contention.
The left-arm spinner made his debut against New Zealand in March, but has only bowled 37 overs since May.
Smith sounded out Rashid before the ODI series and after speaking with management they decided Rashid’s limited-overs form couldn’t be ignored, despite his patchy test record – Rashid has picked 38 test wickets at an average of almost 43.
“The decision was a unanimous one, the decision makers being myself, James Taylor and coach Trevor Bayliss and also round that table was Joe Root,” Smith said.
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“When it came to the final decision I asked all four if it was the right thing to do and the answer was yes from all four.
“I’m aware [picking Rashid] will prompt discussion but moving forward it’s been made clear to Adil that if he wishes to be eligible for selection in the 2019 summer he must have a contract to play red-ball cricket.”
“I believe strongly in the county game’s value. The other selections are strongly anchored in county cricket, Jamie Porter has been the outstanding seam bowler for the last three seasons.
“In no way is there any sense that I would do anything to damage county cricket. However in these circumstances…the panel unanimously felt that the right selection was having Rashid in the squad.
“I am very sympathetic to Yorkshire’s position in terms of their planning. I’ve spoken with [Yorkshire CCC chief] Martyn Moxon all the way through so it’s been no surprise to Yorkshire, they have been kept informed every step of the way.”
England begin the test series at Edgbaston before playing four more matches throughout August and September at Lord’s, Trent Bridge, the Rose Bowl and The Oval.
