The leg-spinner has long been vital cog in England’s limited-overs sides but off-the-field matters may just be holding him back
In elite sport, the ability to perform with a clear mind and full focus on the task at hand has long been a key to success. Yet this Saturday, when he leads England’s spin attack in their must-win T20 World Cup group decider against Sri Lanka, you could forgive Adil Rashid for walking out at the Sydney Cricket Ground with what must feel like the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Rashid is due to give evidence in the Yorkshire racism hearing – to be held in public in the coming weeks – following former team-mate Azeem Rafiq’s allegations, and one cannot help but wonder if his alarming drop in form can be attributed to his wider concerns.
Rashid is a key witness in the case against Michael Vaughan after corroborating Rafiq’s claim that the former England captain told a group of Asian players including the pair that there are “too many of you lot, we need to do something about it”, before a T20 match in 2009 – a remark that has been categorically denied by Vaughan. It is understood Rashid cannot appear in person because he will be playing in the Abu Dhabi T10 league from Nov 23-Dec 4, and then plans to go on a family holiday.
It is hard to see how none of that is currently on Rashid’s mind, as England face their must-win game this weekend. Ahead of a clash with Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka’s wonderful leg spinner, Rashid finds himself in a funk. Since England arrived in Australia last month, he has bowled 19 overs and taken 1-168.