Michael Vaughan's Criticism Of Adil Rashid Pretty Unnecessary, Says Ian Botham

At a time when the majority in English cricket fraternity is severely criticising the inclusion of Adil Rashid in the Test squad, legendary allrounder Ian Botham has said the criticism is “unnecessary”.

The leg-spinner was controversially selected in England’s 13-member squad for the first Test against India despite seemingly abandoning his immediate Test future. He last played a Test way back during the tour of India in 2016.

To make the matters worse, he had signed only a white-ball contract with Yorkshire this year, thus making himself unavailable for the county championship.

Playing in the Championship has long been the traditional pathway to Test selection. However, the English selectors made an exception by picking up the leg-spinner.

Not surprisingly the decision did not go down well with many. Many former skippers and players including Michael Vaughan have slammed the decision. However, Botham feels the criticism is uncalled for.

“I don’t understand what Michael was on about, it was pretty unnecessary,” Botham said on Sky Sports.

“Adil is fed up with it and has reacted. There has been a lot of stuff out there written and I just don’t get it. I wonder if some people just do it for effect.

“I like the kid and I think he’s come to terms with the way of bowling and sorted out his game plan,” he added.

Writing in the Telegraph, Vaughan called Rashid “a bit dozy” and “unprofessional” for not “being bothered” to play for Yorkshire against Lancashire in the County Championship last week. In reply, Rashid had slammed the former England captain.

Rashid earned the Test recall after his impressive show in the ODIs against India. The spinner finished the three-match series with six wickets with the most impressive display coming in the final ODI.

He had taken three wickets to help England restrict India to a modest 256. The highlight of the show was obviously the ball that left Virat Kohli perplexed. The delivery was reminiscent of the Ball of the Century Shane Warne bowled to Mike Gatting in 1993.

Botham also wished that Rashid does well in his comeback Test and justify his selection.

“He does put it out there and is prepared to throw (the ball) up. The Indians will go after him but I hope he does very well. It should be an interesting contest.

“I think he’ll enjoy the red ball – he will enjoy the purchase he can get on it and will have a point to prove,” he said.