Bayliss: Rashid can spin in all conditions

Cricket365
October 31, 2015

England coach Trevor Bayliss says legspinner Adil Rashid can flourish in all conditions and will help the Three Lions with the balance of their Test team.

Rashid went from zero to hero on his Test debut against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi when he conceded 163 runs in the first innings without taking a wicket in 34 overs.

The 27 year-old redeemed himself in his second bowling stint at the crease, capturing five for 64 in 18.5 overs as England fell 25 runs short of completing an astonishing victory.

Rashid made his debut after England decided that they wanted to play two spinners in Asia, with Moeen Ali promoted to open the batting, but Bayliss thinks the Yorkshire bowler can become a fixture in the starting team.

Bayliss said: "He's definitely not a selection for just here. It will come down to whether he is bowling well enough to stay in the team and it's a lot easier to keep him in the team if you've got Moeen Ali batting in the top six or seven and Ben Stokes in there as well.

"The possibilities of combinations we are able to play with those guys in the team are there. Usually legspinners are a little more expensive and maybe not quite as accurate.

"Maybe English cricket over the last few years has had a bit too much of an emphasis on not going for runs. My belief is that the best way to stop the runs is by taking wickets.

"I think a legspinner brings a little bit of unpredictability. They spin it both ways so the batter has got to make a decision on what way it's spinning as well as line and length."

The second Test of the three-match series against Pakistan starts in Dubai on Thursday.