London: Legendary England all-rounder Ian Botham said the criticism around the inclusion of spinner Adil Rashid in the home team’s squad for the first Test against India is ‘unnecessary’.
Leg-spinner Rashid was selected for the first of five matches against India despite quitting red-ball cricket ahead of the 2018 county season and having not played a first-class game since September.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan dubbed it ‘ridiculous’ and ‘a stab in the back for county cricket’ before Rashid hit back. Another former skipper Nasser Hussian felt Rashid’s Test recall sets a dangerous precedent for county cricket.
But Botham had a different view. “I don’t understand what Michael was on about, it was pretty unnecessary,” Botham stated.
“Adil is fed up with it and has reacted. There has been a lot of stuff out there written and I just don’t get it. I wonder if some people just do it for effect. I like the kid and I think he’s come to terms with the way of bowling and sorted out his game plan,” he added.
I like the kid and I think he’s come to terms with the way of bowling and sorted out his game plan. The Indians will go after him but it should be an interesting contest
Ian Botham
England wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow also lent his support for his teammate and feels that Rashid will be able to put aside the rumblings his selection has generated and continue his form from where he left in the ODIs against India.
“The biggest honour you can have is to go out and play Test cricket for England. It is an exciting challenge for him (Rashid), as for us all, going from white-ball cricket to red-ball cricket,” said the 28-year-old Bairstow during the launch of the Specsavers Test Series.
