PAIN-FREE RASHID IS FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS AGAIN

FROM DEAN WILSON in Dubai ADIL RASHID reckons he is firing on all cylinders now that he can bowl pain free without worrying about his troublesome shoulder.

Rashid had been managing his workload over the past few years due to the wear and tear on his right shoulder that had made certain balls difficult to bowl.

He revealed after the

2019 World Cup that he had struggled to perform at his best throughout that tournament due to the injury, even though he still did a decent job for England.

Time off during the pandemic and the chance to strengthen the area appears to have worked wonders for the leg spinner, who is now able to run through his full repertoire of deliveries such as the vicious googly that accounted for Marcus Stoinis in Saturday’s win over Australia.

“In terms of fitness, my body,

I’m 100 percent fit,” said Rashid (top).

“Since the 2019

World Cup there’s been a lot of rehab and strength and conditioning I’ve had to do, but at this very moment I’m fit and healthy.

“I’m still looking after myself in terms of going to the gym.

“The benefit of that is being able to bowl whatever I want, when I want, and how I want without there being any thought of being in pain.”

England’s batsmen have been offered an extra incentive to take the attacking option against spin during this

World Cup – a free dinner off Rashid!

One of the finest leg spinners in the world has been challenging team-mates to try and hit his last ball in the nets for six in an attempt to pile on the pressure in training and try to replicate a game situation.

And so far only one player has managed to force Rashid to dip his hands in his pockets, Liam Livingstone (below).

“I have paid up,” revealed Rashid ahead of England’s clash with spin-heavy Sri Lanka in Sharjah after their crushing defeat of Australia on Saturday. “It was between me and Livi, it was four or six off the last ball, and he hit me for a massive six. I think he had some kind of sushi. He ordered a lot more than he usually does.

“That is something I enjoy doing, working like that with four or six to win. It gives the batsman and myself as a bowler more to think about.”

England may well be grateful to Rashid’s methods in due course since they have not been anywhere near a last-over finish.

With Jos Buttler and Jason Roy setting the pace at the top of the order, the rest are short of a gallop, with skipper Eoin Morgan facing just seven balls in the tournament so far.