Warne-admirer Rashid planning to put Australians in a spin at Lord's

Published on Saturday 5 September 2009 20:56

ENGLAND newcomer Adil Rashid has followed Shane Warne onto the international stage and even uses the Australian's mentor for advice.

Leg-spinner Rashid made a good first impression against Australia at The Oval on Friday, having been inspired to take up the art by Warne, arguably the greatest bowler that ever lived.

And he was also discovered by Terry Jenner, the same man who turned Warne into something special. Jenner, 64, plucked Rashid from one of his Brian Johnston Memorial Trust coaching clinics six years ago.

Discussing their relationship, Rashid, 21, said: "It has been good for me. I have worked with him since I was 15. I've been to see him twice in Australia to work on my bowling and he has been a big influence on my development.

"To bowl leg spin you have got to learn the basics. Alignment and head position, that is the key for bowling in a consistent area and getting a shape and spin.

"I spoke to him two weeks ago, he was in England coaching at the time in Yorkshire. Just to have a general chat about my performances and where I am at, at the moment."

Yorkshire all-rounder Rashid returned figures of 10-0-37-0 and struck an unbeaten 31 in the opening match of the NatWest series, which resumes today at Lord's.

His emergence in international cricket has come through his bowling and although he has worked most recently with England's spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed, Rashid also credits Warne's advice as crucial in his development.

"I spoke to Shane Warne a couple of times," Rashid explained. "We played Hampshire two years ago and I went to the dressing room and had a little chat with him about my bowling and general cricket talk.

"As I was growing up I was watching Shane Warne bowling on TV and he was my role model."

Rashid's tendency to hit peak form at the end of the summer has been enacted once more and unbeaten hundreds and five-wicket doubles in both recent County Championship matches against Hampshire and Lancashire meant he stepped up in good shape.

"It has increased my confidence bowling to the Australians, who are a great team," said Rashid.

With Andrew Flintoff now retired from Test cricket, Rashid will be considered for the full tour of South Africa this winter as a second spin option.

But he is not guaranteed to win a third ODI cap against the Australians today at Lord's if conditions are overcast.