Root convinced he can get bring out the high skill levels of Rashid at Test level

Joe Root hopes he is inheriting the Test-match skills of Adil Rashid at the perfect time.

The England captain confirmed his fellow Yorkshireman, subject of an open-season reaction since his controversial selection in a 13-man squad last week, will be the sole spinner to take on India in the first Test at Edgbaston today. He spelled out too that, contrary to some rumblings, he needed no persuading about Rashid’s recall – at a time when the leg-spinner has no first-class contract with Yorkshire or any apparent plans to return to County Championship action this summer.

Root senses Rashid’s significant white-ball improvement for club and country indicates that, aged 30, he has matured to the point that he should be ready to do himself and England full justice at Test level.

Starting in their landmark 1,000th Test, England will certainly need him to be more of a threat than his career figures to date suggest – after 38 wickets at an average of 42.78 from ten overseas caps.

Root has known Rashid throughout his own professional career, having followed him up through the ranks at Yorkshire, and said: “He’s very talented – he always has been.

“I think over the last couple of years he has grown as a player massively. He’s got high skill levels, which I think are very transferable into Test cricket.

“I’ve known Adil for a long time, seen his success over the last year in white-ball cricket and feel I have an opportunity to get the best out of him in this format now.”

England also announced yesterday, that Jos Buttler will be vice-captain for the remainder of the campaign – only two matches into his comeback, also on the back of outstanding limited-overs form.

“He is obviously vice-captain of the white-ball sides,” said Root. “He thinks extremely well about the game, and has a huge amount of respect within the dressing room.

“Looking at very long term, five to ten years, I see him as someone who can really drive this team forward – and I think it’s a great opportunity for him to start doing that now.”

0 Jos Buttler: Respected.