Jason Roy, Will Smeed and 3 other notable red-ball cricket comebacks – what is Adil Rashid’s first-class cricket status nowadays?
Professional cricketers have a busy schedule, and then there are international cricketers, who have to juggle multiple game formats and strike a balance between international and domestic cricket.
For many, the workload of multi-day first class and Test cricket is too demanding, leading to several stars in the sport prioritising the white-ball ODI and T20 formats of the game.
White-ball cricket contracts are considerably more lucrative, with the lure of earning more cash and playing less cricket an attractive option for some and for others, it simply suits their game.
Several former red-ball cricket stars have made the hard decision to ditch the format in exchange for more limited overs cricket.
But a select few of these stars have made U-turns and blockbuster comebacks to the attraction of red-ball cricket and the potential international Test cricket call-ups that sometimes come with it.
Jason Roy is in Surrey’s County Championship squad for their game against Warwickshire today in what would be his first red-ball, first-class appearance since 2020.
Four years ago, Roy decided to step away from red-ball cricket to specialise in the shorter formats, while load management and form were other contributing factors.
However, his return has been inspired by a pursuit of a late career revival with the depth and style of play of England’s Test side and the mantra of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes’ environment a motivating factor.
Let’s take a closer look at five cricketers who made a comeback to red-ball cricket after an hiatus.
1. Will Smeed
The decision of Smeed to focus exclusively on white-ball cricket in 2022 made headlines due to the fact he was only 21 years old at the time. With this he became the first Englishman to effectively retire from red-ball cricket before making a first class appearance for Somerset.
However, in 2024, Smeed made a U-turn, signalling an attempt to represent Somerset in all three formats of the game and has already scored a hundred for the Somerset second side in 2025.
Many wondered whether he’d make his long awaited first-class debut following the injury to Somerset opener Sean Dickson a few weeks ago but it was Scottish international, Andy Umeed, who was given the nod.
2. Sean Abbott
Australian all-rounder Sean Abbott endured a 20-month absence from red-ball cricket as he looked to manage ongoing injuries and the demands of franchise cricket.
But he made his return to the Sheffield Shield in the 2024/25 season, representing New South Wales while featuring regularly in Australia’s Test squad in their home series against India.
3. Glenn Maxwell
One of the world’s best white-ball cricket stars, the Australia all-rounder had played little red-ball cricket since 2019, with his last Test cap coming in 2017.
Following a series of breaks and setbacks, Maxwell declared his intentions to play for Victoria in the 2024/25 Sheffield Shield season in an attempt to push for a return to Test cricket in Australia’s sub continent tours which suit his style of cricket.
He is yet to add to his seven Test matches, but the fire still burns within.
4. Beuran Hendricks
South Africa seamer Beuran Hendricks has been primarily recognised for his T20 and ODI performances.
After a period of focusing on limited-overs formats, he made a return to red-ball cricket in the CSA 4-day series where he captained Western Province.
He played his sole Test match against England in 2020, but, despite being 34, he will be looking to add depth to South Africa’s bowling ranks.
5. Adil Rashid
From 2015 to 2019, Adil Rashid was a regular feature in England‘s Test side, taking 60 wickets for his country.
But he naturally transitioned and found more success in the ODI and T20 sides with international caps and regular franchise contracts around the world – to manage his workload he stepped back from red-ball cricket.
Despite not yet making his first appearance for Yorkshire in the County Championship since 2019, the leg-spinner has repeatedly hinted at a red-ball return, perhaps a sign of intent for a Test cricket recall on sub-continent pitches that would suit his bowling.
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