Gillespie: Rashid could be number one Test spinner
Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie believes Adil Rashid should be England's number one spinner in Test cricket, saying the national side should make room for him and Moeen Ali in the starting team.
The 28-year-old Rashid has taken 418 wickets in 142 first-class matches and Gillespie feels good legspinners are rare and England need to make it work.
Gillespie said: "I certainly think he has the potential [to be England's first-choice spin option] – no question, without a doubt.
"I firmly believe he could be number one. That should be his goal, to be the number one spinner. I know he's working really hard to achieve that, and there's a strong chance that will happen."
"I just think 'pick your best spinner'. I think Moeen Ali is a very good spinner as well [but] my personal opinion is that 'leggies' are like gold. With a 'leggie', you find a way to make it work."
Rashid has a regular in England's limited-overs games but has played second fiddle to Moeen in the longest format but Gillespie thinks England could use Moeen's better batting skills up the order.
Gillespie continued: "Moeen Ali hasn't done much wrong, and they like his batting option. I think Moeen is still suffering the stigma as being seen as a batsman who bowls a bit … he's actually a very good off-spinner.
"Rash is seen as the genuine spinner option … I think they can both play together in that Test team."
Latest
-
NewsTom Westley and Essex have their sights set on Royal London Cup silverware
Essex, who won the domestic Twenty20 competition in 2019, have only two players in The Hundred.
-
NewsMatt Parkinson stars at Manchester Originals have Birmingham Phoenix in a spin
The England leg spinner’s four for nine set up the victory for Jos Buttler’s side.
-
NewsHaseeb Hameed hundred helps Nottinghamshire defeat Warwickshire
Essex and Lancashire remain perfect in Group Two after two games.
-
NewsHundred organisers hit out at ‘unacceptable’ abuse
Players have been targeted since the launch of cricket’s new format.
-
NewsJoe Root admits friendship will be set aside against Ben Stokes in The Hundred
The England pair face off with Trent Rockers and Northern Superchargers on Monday.
-
NewsLocal hero Jonny Bairstow stuns Headingley with impressive Welsh Fire knock
Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batsman Bairstow, captaining the Fire, hit 56 from 36 balls in The Hundred clash.
-
News‘He’s a fantastic asset’ – Joe Root excited to see Rashid Khan in Hundred action
The England Test captain and Afghanistan leg-spinner are team-mates at Trent Rockets.
-
News5 things we learned from the opening games of The Hundred
The near 8,000 who turned up for night one represented the biggest ever UK crowd for a women’s match.
-
NewsFirst-pick Rashid Khan proud to be flying flag for Afghanistan in The Hundred
The leg-spinner is excited about the prospect of bowling 10 balls in a row when he turns out for Trent Rockets.
-
NewsAdil Rashid looking forward to coming up against Jonny Bairstow in The Hundred
When they face off on Saturday the Yorkshire and England team-mates will be on opposite sides for the first time.