England ‘very tempted’ to recall twirler Adil Rashid for winter audition at The Oval
Testing times loom as Three Lions look forward to trial by spin on turning pitches in the hot and dusty sub-continent
ADIL RASHID could be thrust into the final Test as England start thinking about their trial by spin this winter.
Head coach Trevor Bayliss admitted he is “very tempted” to include Rashid in the starting XI against Pakistan at the Oval on Thursday.
The England management know finding spin bowlers to trouble the Indian batsmen on turning pitches in November and December will be a massive problem.
Rashid and Moeen Ali are certain to be chosen and England are likely to pick an experienced third slow man – which could mean a recall for Surrey’s Gareth Batty 11 years after his last Test appearance.
But Yorkshire wrist spinner Rashid will be selected for the Investec Fourth Test only if conditions are expected to be favourable to the twirly men.
After all, the series is still alive at 2-1 to England and another victory for the home side could promote them to No 1 in the world Test rankings.
Bayliss said: “The pitch when we played Australia at the Oval last year had a bit in it for everyone. There was some spin and bounce – so it will be very tempting to play Adil.
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“He’s had a chance of being picked for the last two or three Tests. At some stage, he’ll get an opportunity.
“We’re going to the subcontinent later this year so he’s probably the spinner who’ll get the first opportunity there. Having a leg-spinner will help when the wicket is turning and should allow us to knock over the tail a bit more easily.”
England’s quick bowlers displayed mastery of reverse swing as they demolished Pakistan’s batting on the final day of the Third Test on Sunday.
And the art will be key to England’s chances in their two Tests in Bangladesh and five in India, along with a spin artillery.
Bayliss added: “Ben Stokes is a big part of that. If he’s in the team as one of four pace bowlers, we could have two spinners. If he was one of three pace bowlers, we might even have three spinners.
“Three spinners in the team will be a possibility if the wickets are anything like when India played South Africa last winter. We’ll definitely take three spinners to India and they might all play.
“Moeen’s bowling on the final day at Edgbaston was excellent. We’ve all seen him fall a little short at times but I thought he got it pretty much spot on in that spell. He bowled a little bit wider of the off stump into the rough and put pressure on the batters.
“That makes it harder to run down the wicket and hit over the top or play reverse sweeps and orthodox sweeps.”
Finding a place for Rashid in the Fourth Test would be difficult. Steven Finn could be omitted but England want to boost his self-confidence as much as possible. Another option could be to play Rashid instead of batsman James Vince, who is a doubt after dislocating his left ring finger on Sunday.
**Swing bowler James Anderson is back at No 1 in the world Test rankings after taking four wickets at Edgbaston.
Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir, rehabilitated into Test cricket this summer after his five-year ban for corruption, is expected to play county cricket in 2017.