England Cricket: Adil Rashid backs Shoaib Bashir to bounce back after not being selected for any Ashes Tests this winter Cricket News

Adil Rashid has backed England spin bowler Shoaib Bashir to bounce back from Ashes disappointment as he embarks on a new phase of his career at Derby County, urging him to “keep up the good work”.

Bashir has been England’s number one slow bowler in Test cricket since 2024 but missed the second half of last year’s home Test series against India due to a broken finger.

The 22-year-old was named in the Ashes squad but did not feature in the Test series in Australia, with all-rounder Will Jacks playing four matches in the 4-1 defeat.

Bashir signed a two-year contract with Derby County after being released by Somerset and hopes to press for a recall to the England squad ahead of the home series against New Zealand in June.

Rashid: Tough start of season in England for spin bowlers

Rashid, England’s leading white-ball spinner, is currently preparing for T20 World Cup starts from February 7continue living sky sportssaid of Bashir: “This happens in Test cricket.

“You go overseas and you don’t get picked to play. Other players leave and don’t play so he doesn’t get a chance.”

“I’m sure he’ll go back and work hard and be ready for the next game.”

On the challenges faced by England’s red-ball spinners, Rashid added: “I would say in England we have been very unlucky, especially in county cricket, April, May, June for the seamers.

“Spinners can come in every now and then and bowl a few overs here and there. That obviously doesn’t help, but I think it’s part of the game.

“As a spinner, you have to learn to say, ‘OK, for the first month and a half, I might not bowl too much, but I’m still working behind closed doors and I’m still trying to improve my craft’.”

“Dawson and I complement each other”

Leg-spinner Rashid took 3-19 on Friday England beat Sri Lanka in rain-affected first T20 match at Pallekethe visitors will now look to end the series with a win in Sunday’s second match at the same venue (1:30pm UK).

Rashid and his spinner Liam Dawson ensured that Sri Lanka lost wickets for the fifth time in a row in the 20th over.

The Yorkshireman added: “Dawson bowled the hard ball early on at times, bowling in the powerplay.

“We complement each other well and we talk to each other a lot – what is needed, what he thinks.

“We’re spinners and good friends. We have this relationship where we can discuss things and see things on the pitch. I give him information, he gives me information and information goes back and forth. So far, it’s been going well.”