West Indies' approach to Adil Rashid shows his 'class', says Moeen Ali

West Indies’ modest approach to Adil Rashid shows the ‘class’ and ‘amazing control’ he now has, says stand-in England captain Moeen Ali… with ‘mystery’ leg-spinner just three scalps short of becoming country’s leading T20 wicket-taker

  • West Indies have been reduced to friendly fire whenever Adil Rashid has bowled 
  • No one to have bowled at least five overs this series can match his economy rate
  • Rashid is only two behind Chris Jordan, England’s most prolific bowler in T20Is
  • Jordan missed his third T20 international in 68 in Wednesday’s 20-run defeat

Moeen Ali says West Indies’ approach to Adil Rashid highlights the respect in which England’s leg-spinner is now held worldwide.

While the Windies’ heavy artillery have launched 30 sixes, they have been reduced to friendly fire whenever the Yorkshireman has been brought into the attack; no bowler to have sent down more than five overs across these past three Twenty20 internationals can match his economy rate of under a run a ball in combined figures of 12-1-70-4.

Ahead of Saturday’s fourth contest at Kensington Oval, which England cannot lose if they are to avoid only a second series defeat in 12, stand-in captain Moeen said: ‘I’ve been saying this for a while. I think the other day showed the difference between him and everybody else in that side.

Moeen Ali says West Indies’ approach to Adil Rashid (right) highlights the respect in which he is now held worldwide

No bowler to have sent down more than five overs this series can match his economy rate

‘He showed his class and amazing control. It’s not always about taking wickets, and when everybody else seems not to be able to bowl very well, he seems to have bowled fantastically.

‘If there is one team in the world where, if you bowl it in the slot, they will hit it for six, it is these guys. He’s just not giving them the balls that they want, with his mystery.’

With 78 wickets, Rashid is now only two behind Chris Jordan, England’s most prolific bowler in this format.

Jordan missed only his third T20 international in 68 in Wednesday’s 20-run defeat and could return to the side along with Sam Billings, who was rested following his recent globetrotting.

Moeen (above) praised Rashid for the way he has bowled while others have struggled

With 78 wickets, Rashid is two behind Chris Jordan (R), England’s most prolific T20I bowler

Eoin Morgan, missing the weekend double header with a low-grade quadriceps tear, will retain his influence on selection but may have his hand forced with Liam Livingstone still experiencing lingering effects from the oesophagitis that sidelined him for the first two games.

Bizarrely, West Indies felt the need to defend the selection of Rovman Powell, their match-winning centurion of midweek, following allegations of victimisation against Odean Smith by captain Kieron Pollard.

‘I view this as a malicious attack on the credibility of the West Indies captain, designed to sow division within our team that has just recorded three very impressive T20I performances against very strong opponents,’ said the Windies’ president Ricky Skerritt.

Bizarrely, West Indies felt the need to defend the selection of centurion Rovman Powell




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