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

NICK HOWSON: The national selector is encouraged by the spinner's recovery from a shoulder problem but may resist the temptation to bring him back this winter

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Adil Rashid appears likely to miss out on an England Test recall this winter after Ed Smith stated the World Cup-winning spinner needs more time to fully recover from his long-term shoulder injury.

Shane Warne has led calls for the 32-year-old to be reconsidered, more than 18 months on from his last international red-ball outing.

Rashid only signed a white-ball deal with county Yorkshire for the 2020 season in order to manage his fitness ahead of the T20 World Cup, which was eventually cancelled.

He impressed hugely in the recent one-day international series against Ireland and is set for another key role in the upcoming white-ball matches against Pakistan and Australia.

There remains a berth for a front-line spinner in the Test team, with neither Dom Bess nor Jack Leach able to nail down their spot.

Smith says Rashid remains in contention but that with limited time to build endurance in the red-ball arena before the winter, his return might have to wait.

"The main thing with Adil is he has made really good strides with his shoulder injury and he has developed really well in recovery," he said.

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"His form is really good in white-ball cricket and we've all seen the skill and the mastery which he is displaying in that form.

"I think moving forward we'll work closely with Adil and Yorkshire and see how his shoulder is and see if he is ready to play four and five-day cricket moving forward.

"Adil is still coming back from a relatively serious shoulder injury and obviously there is a difference between bowling 10 overs and a 100 overs. 

"There is a jump up required and he is still working on that physical side but in the long term he still has aspirations to play for England in all forms."

His involvement with England means Rashid is unlikely to be involved in either of Yorkshire's remaining Bob Willis Trophy matches against Lancashire and Leicestershire.

England are scheduled to face India in five Tests in the New Year while a return to Sri Lanka has also been muted, though neither series has been rubber-stamped.

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