Rashid heroics boost winter chances

Adil Rashid revived his own and Yorkshire’s prospects of a satisfying winter with a career-best 111 against LV County Championship Division One champions Sussex at Hove.

There is hope for the White Rose in their battle to beat the drop, after they turned the tatters of 84 for six into the rude health of 400 for nine declared - on the back yesterday of Rashid’s second first-class hundred and David Wainwright’s first.

After Sussex had stumbled to 25 for three in reply, it is they who must bat well to stay on course for top-flight cricket next summer.

For England Lions all-rounder Rashid - who put on 140 for the ninth wicket with Wainwright (104no) - the runs were especially timely, with England due to announce on Monday their Test squad to tour India.

Adil Rashid's century against Sussex has boosted his chances of further international recognition this winter

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The 20-year-old is determined, however, to keep his feet on the ground.

“I’ve just got to keep playing for Yorkshire, doing my best - whatever else happens happens,” he reasons.

“If I go with England, obviously I’ll be delighted. But if I go with the Lions that will be great as well.

“If I do get selected, I’ll give it my best shot.”

There is much to be proud of already for Rashid, after Yorkshire’s wonderful second day in this final round of matches.

Much-improved batting conditions played their part - but so did a Yorkshire tail, which began to wag in a seventh-wicket stand of 80 between Rashid and Tim Bresnan.

“The first day was overcast and the ball swinging,” Rashid recalled.

“But when we started to bat again it was quite flat, not swinging as much - and you could play your shots on it.

“Bresy and I just had a quick chat about how we were going to play it for a few overs, see what it was doing.

“Luckily, we got a partnership going - and took it from there. Bresy got out. But then David came in, and we carried on.”

The job is not finished yet, though - and Rashid added: “We hope to come back tomorrow, get a few quick wickets and try to bowl them out for 250 or 300 - which, on this wicket, would be a pretty good effort.”