Leg-spinner in line to play after shock England recall

Adil Rashid is in line to play his first home Test after his shock recall to a 13-man England squad, which also features uncapped seamer Jamie Porter.

Rashid’s inclusion alongside fellow spinner Moeen Ali for England’s 1,000th Test against India at Edgbaston comes despite his decision to quit all first-class cricket while he prepares for next year’s home World Cup.

It is an unprecedented move by national selector Ed Smith and his colleagues to pick the 30-year-old Yorkshire legspinner — at a time when he has not played a redball match for 10 months, with none scheduled for his county either in the foreseeable future.

Porter’s call-up, in place of Warwickshire’s Chris Woakes is also a surprise. But it is Rashid’s return which will dominate the headlines.

It comes on the back of his much-improved whiteball international form and follows a personal guarantee to England that he will recommit longterm to Test cricket. Smith said: “Before the selection, Adil had confirmed his availability to play Test cricket for England for this summer and upcoming winter tours to Sri Lanka and West Indies.

“Following his earlier decision in February 2018, Adil has a white-ball only contract to play for Yorkshire this summer.

“That arrangement is unchanged .

“However, Adil understands if he wishes to be eligible for Test cricket in the 2019 season, he must have a county contract to play four-day cricket.

“Clearly, the one-off circumstances around Adil’s return to the Test squad are unusual.

“However, the selection panel was unanimous in believing Adil should be selected in England’s squad.”