Mike Atherton not in favour of Adil Rashid for Tests against India

Adil Rashid is likely to be recalled in the Test side after some splendor performance in the One Dayers. The leg-spinner hinted that he would be ready to offer his services in red ball cricket if given a chance. This comes months after he decided to retire from Tests and an absence of more than a year from county cricket.

English commentator Mike Atherton wasn’t pleased with the recent developments. With the talks growing regarding his inclusion in the Test series, Atherton wasn’t in favor of Rashid due to his decision to not play first-class games. While he lauded him as the greatest English One Day spinner, he asserted that Rashid should play county cricket and not get an easy passway to the longer format.

Rashid must make himself available for County cricket before a return to the Test team

Adil Rashid wasn’t considered in the Ashes as Mason Crane, Jack Leach and Dominic Bess were preferred above him. Also regarding his strained relationship with Yorkshire, he decided to step down as a Test cricketer. Atherton felt that as a result of his prolonged absence in county cricket, he didn’t deserve to be in the national team.

“It would be entirely wrong if Adil Rashid were to be selected for Test cricket against India while still unavailable for Yorkshire. They hold the County Championship as the pinnacle and the route to the England Test team. Players know that they have to earn the right to be picked. Rashid must make himself available for domestic first-class cricket before a possible return to the Test team.” He was quoted as saying in a column at The Times.

Jos Buttler too was recently introduced to Test side for his wonderful show in the IPL and the One Dayers. However, Atherton felt that since he was a regular feature in county cricket, his selection was justified. The English commentator basically felt that county cricket was a criterion for selection in Tests. Hence the decision to include Adil Rashid may well make youngsters focus lesser in County cricket.

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