England spinner Adil Rashid has two games to finally make big impact expected at the Cricket World Cup
ADIL RASHID has two matches to make the impact on the World Cup impact that everybody was expecting. Rashid entered the tournament touted as England’s key man – a twirly-whirly bowler who could bamboozle the planet’s best batsmen. But the Yorkshireman, 31, is not currently in the top 30 bowlers and has taken eight wickets […]
ADIL RASHID has two matches to make the impact on the World Cup impact that everybody was expecting.
Rashid entered the tournament touted as England’s key man – a twirly-whirly bowler who could bamboozle the planet’s best batsmen.
But the Yorkshireman, 31, is not currently in the top 30 bowlers and has taken eight wickets in nine matches at a high average of 54.12.
There have also been mutterings that Rashid is being hindered by a shoulder injury although he insists he is 100 per cent fit.
It has not been a disastrous campaign for the leggie – just less successful than predicted, especially as the pitches have been taking plenty of turn.
But if he helps bowl England to glory in next Thursday’s semi-final at Edgbaston – probably against India – and then the final, Rashid will achieve heroic status.
He said: “There have been some games where I felt as though I’ve been unlucky – there’s been a few dropped catches and missed stumpings and whatever.
“If you take all that, things could be completely different. I could easily be on 15 or 16 wickets. It is what it is, dropped catches and missed chances are part and parcel of cricket.
“But we’re winning, we’ve got through to the semis and we’re in a good place.
“We’ll try to keep the same feeling in the semi-final and play a positive brand of cricket.”
England have eight days between the victory over New Zealand in their final group match and the semi-final – an opportunity for Rashid to rest and have physio on his right shoulder.
Jofra Archer, nursing a sore side, will also benefit from a break.
Rashid was given two injections in the joint earlier this summer and many believe it is reducing his ability to apply fizz to the ball when he delivers.
But Rashid insists the shoulder is just fine. His run out for Kiwi batsman Ross Taylor with a bullet throw suggests there are not many problems.
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He explained: “I had the niggle a month ago. Just before the World Cup, I had an injection but it’s all good now. I’m 100 per cent although sometimes it can be a bit difficult to bowl all my variations.
“That’s not an excuse for not bowling them much. My variations are one of my strengths.
“I’d prefer a flatter pitch for the semi-final, they bring out the best in our batting. We bat first, make a big score and put pressure on the opposition. That allows myself and all the bowlers to enjoy bowling.
“If we have to bowl first on a flat pitch, we know we’ll have to be switched on.
“But whatever pitch comes along in the semi-final – a fresh one, a flat one, a turner – we have to adapt. We want to put on a show.”
