England have named their squad for the first Test match against India but Adil Rashid’s inclusion has sparked a huge debate among cricket fans and pundits.
National selector Ed Smith said the decision to include Rashid was an “unusual” one, but former England skipper Michael Vaughan believes the 30-year-old should not be picked and called the decision “ridiculous”.
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In a statement on ECB.co.uk Smith said: “Before the selection meeting, Adil had confirmed his availability to play Test cricket for England for the whole of this summer and the upcoming winter tours to Sri Lanka and West Indies.
“Following his earlier decision in February 2018, Adil has a white-ball only contract to play for Yorkshire this summer. That arrangement is unchanged by his selection for England.
“However, Adil fully understands that if he wishes to be eligible for Test cricket in the 2019 season, he must have a county contract to play four-day cricket. Moving forward, England Test players must be committed to the county championship.
“Clearly, the one-off circumstances around Adil’s return to the Test squad are unusual. However, the selection panel was unanimous in believing that Adil should be selected in England’s squad.”
The decision clearly angered Vaughan, who tweeted last night: “I personally think Adil Rashid should not be picked for the Test team... any player that cannot commit to the county championship when available shouldn’t be considered IMO #JustSaying.”
In response to the announcement, Vaughan added on Twitter: “So we have picked someone who cannot be arsed with 4 day cricket for the Test Team ... Forget whether he is good enough or not I find this decision ridiculous... !!!”
Meanwhile, Yorkshire chief executive Mark Arthur told the BBC’s Test Match Special that the county was shocked to see Rashid’s name on the squad list. He 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.”
Leg-spinner Rashid returns to the England Test squad for the first time since December 2016 while Essex seam bowler Jamie Porter earns his first call-up. All-rounder Moeen Ali is also included but there’s no place for Somerset duo Dom Bess and Jack Leach.
England Test squad
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Dawid Malan, Jamie Porter, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes
England vs. India Test fixtures
- 1-5 August: 1st Test at Edgbaston
- 9-13 August: 2nd Test at Lord’s
- 18-22 August: 3rd Test at Trent Bridge
- 30 August-3 September: 4th Test at Ageas Bowl
- 7-11 September: 5th Test at Kia Oval
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