XtraTime Web Desk: Leg-spinner Adil Rashid’s inclusion in the Test squad for the first Test against India which is set to begin from Wednesday has been criticized by a number of former English internationals.
Though he got good backing from star opener Alastair Cook, who feels that the current form of Rashid in the ODIs shows the massive improvements he has made since he played his last Test back in December 2016.
“It is interesting because it is so unusual, because of Dil saying he wasn’t going to play red-ball cricket,” Cook said.
“But over the last couple of months there have been some exceptional circumstances with the guys who have been next in line.
“I think over the last 18 months, I haven’t played with him but watching how he has gone about his business in the one-dayers and even yesterday facing him in the nets and talking to him about his bowling, he has matured as a cricketer and improved since we last saw him in an England shirt.
“In one sense, I feel a little bit sorry for Adil – all the political side of the selection, rather than looking at him.”
Cook also backed Joe Root to be able to get the best out of Rashid due to the pair’s time playing together, both in England’s white-ball sides and for Yorkshire.
“Joe, I think, is in a great position in one sense because he knows him probably better than anyone else, certainly better than I did when I captained Adil,” he added.
“They’ve got a good relationship I think, they seem to get on really well and they’ve played a lot of cricket together as well, certainly growing up. Joe will have seen him operate over the last two or three years in the one-day stuff as well and seen him get better and better and I think that is helpful.”
The former England captain also backed opening bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad to play in every Test of the series against India, despite the five matches being played in the space of just six weeks.
“Even four or five years ago the same question was being asked about those two guys: can they play these five games, four games or back-to-back Ashes series as it was in 2013?” Cook said.
“There was always that question and it always amazes me how many times they get through it. I think it’s a testament to their fitness and ability to soak up the demands of international cricket as a bowler.
“You never know, I just hope they can [do it again], it’s obviously a big test for them, Jimmy’s 36 today – he won’t thank me for mentioning that! I still find it amazing that they can do what they do after bowling so many times. Hopefully they can, if they don’t then it’s an opportunity for somebody else to step up.”