Tuesday, September 24, 2024

England v Australia: Adil Rashid says he has no plans to retire “any time soon”

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Having failed in the defence of both their white-ball world titles in the past year, England are rebuilding with a view to the Champions Trophy in February, but more notably the next T20 World Cup in 2026 and the 2027 50-over World Cup.

Although the new era has had a difficult start with heavy defeats in the first two of five ODIs against Australia, Rashid became just the third Englishman to reach 200 wickets in the format in the second match at Headingley on Saturday.

“I’m playing each game and each series as it comes and if I’m still enjoying it and performing well, I’ll keep carrying on,” said Rashid, speaking before Tuesday’s third match in Chester-le-Street.

England are also still planning for Joe Root, who was rested before next month’s Test tour of Pakistan, and injured captain Jos Buttler to be part of their white-ball squads going forward.

The white-ball future of 33-year-old Test captain Ben Stokes, another 2019 World Cup winner but ruled out of this series through injury, remains uncertain.

All-rounder Moeen has retired from international cricket since being left out, however, and Rashid admitted he has missed a team-mate he described as his “best friend”.

“We always have that banter and vibes,” he added. “That’s not there anymore but that is life. Everything moves on.”

England’s inexperience was shown by the fact Rashid, a low-order batter, was the highest ODI run-scorer in the XI in the first two matches.

The Headingley defeat was England’s 10th in their past 14 ODIs, but Rashid maintained they have the talent to come good.

“There have been big changes, new batters, new bowlers,” he said.

“It will take time. It will always take time when it is a rebuilding process.

“We have got every base covered in terms of bowling, batting, keeping.

“Everything is there for us. All we have to do now is play the game of cricket, enjoy it, string a few games together of winning and then off we go.”

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