Chris Silverwood open to Adil Rashid making England Test return this winter

A red-ball camp could allow the Yorkshire spinner to take his place in the squads to face India and Sri Lanka in 2021

• Ed Smith not convinced Adil Rashid is ready for England Test return

England head coach Chris Silverwood has admitted Adil Rashid could yet return to the Test squad to face India and Sri Lanka this winter.

The 32-year-old's return to full fitness coupled with his white-ball displays this summer has once again provoked discussion over a possible recall for the longest format.

Chief selector Ed Smith and Silverwood has previously suggested Rashid, who signed a limited-overs deal with county Yorkshire for the 2020 season but whose central contract allows him to participate across all formats for his country, would have to play some red-ball cricket before being considered again.

With the Bob Willis Trophy group stage coming to an end on Wednesday (September 9) and Yorkshire out of contention to reach the final, hopes of an outing before the campaign ends are over.

However, Silverwood has raised the possibility of Rashid getting some competitive long-form cricket elsewhere as part of an overseas red-ball camp - which would help prepare him for a Test return, with India and Sri Lanka expected to be on the horizon.

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"I would like to see him with a red ball in his hand before we select him," the coach reiterated. "Conversations are ongoing. I've got another chat to have but I would like to see him play red-ball cricket if possible.

Asked whether the climax of the four-day domestic season had ended Rashid's hopes for this winter, Silverwood added: "Maybe not. Let's see if there is the possibility of a red-ball camp with some competitive games. It is only a possibility mind you given what is going on around the world."

Rashid has not played a first-class match since his last England Test outing against West Indies in January 2019. He has taken 60 wickets at 39.83 in 19 appearances since his debut against Pakistan in October 2015.

While England have failed to establish a first-choice spinner since the retirement of Graeme Swann in 2013, central to Rashid's Test ambitions being rekindled is his full recovery from a shoulder injury which almost derailed his World Cup campaign last summer.

He didn't play a single game after the World Cup final super over success over New Zealand last year, missing the remainder of the season to rest the injury which has now signficantly improved.

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