Adil Rashid Trevor Bayliss
Trevor Bayliss says Adil Rashid could get a Test recall on his ODI form. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Citing Jos Buttler’s example, England head coach, Trevor Bayliss says Adil Rashid can also win back his Test place on the basis of his performance in the white-ball cricket.

Earlier this year, Adil Rashid along with Alex Hales accepted white-ball-only county contracts. The duo told their respective counties they would not be turning out for them in this year’s County Championship. The decision effectively put their Test careers on indefinite hold.

However, the calls of seeing Rashid in white-jersey have increased after his performance in the recent 2-1 ODI win over India. He was England’s best bowler in the series.

The leg-spinner finished the series with six wickets. The most notable performance came in the series-decider where Rashid took three wickets to help the hosts restrict India to a modest 256 for eight. The highlight of that performance was the delivery he bowled to castle Virat Kohli.

Rashid had left Kohli perplexed with the delivery which pitched on leg stump, ragged back past his outside-edge and uprooted the off-stump.

Adil Rashid.
Adil Rashid.

With the coming days set to assist the spinner due to dry weather conditions, Rashid can be instrumental in the upcoming Tests.

Reports are suggesting that England has already made up its mind on convincing Rashid to overturn his decision of quitting red-ball cricket. Media reports indicated that national selector Ed Smith will talk to him.

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Bayliss ready to welcome Rashid in Tests

“This year is probably the best we’ve seen him bowl,” said the England coach. “He’s bowled well in one-day cricket over the last few years but his control and his consistency this year have been top-class.”

Adil Rashid.
Adil Rashid.

Asked whether he would try to persuade Rashid to give Test cricket another shot, Bayliss said,

“That’s a decision he’s got to make. Could he get picked in the Test team on the white-ball form? Well, it’s already been proven this year it’s happened once. So, look I’m sure he’ll be up for discussion, definitely.”

Rashid has played ten Tests so far, taking 38 wickets. His Test career came to an abrupt end when he was not picked for the previous Ashes despite being the highest wicket-taker on the Test tour of Bangladesh and India in 2016-17.

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