England Cricketer Adil Rashid has ended the speculations on his retirement saying that he has no plans to retire ‘any time soon’ after becoming the first England spinner to reach 200 ODI wickets.
England are currently involved in a five-match ODI series against Australia and are looking to avoid a series defeat in their third ODI match against Australia after suffering a 68-run defeat at Headingley.
Rashid Kahn and Jofra Archer are the only players in England’s 2019 World Cup-winning squad as England is transitioning in their white-ball sides.
With England captain Jos Buttler ruled out for the ongoing white ball series due to injury, Rashid remains the oldest player in a new-look squad.
With the newcomers Jacob Bethell, Jordan Cox and John Turner experiencing the beginning stages in international cricket, Adil Rashid remains an integral part of England’s future.
2⃣0⃣0⃣ 👏
An incredible achievement by our little master 🙌
🏴 #ENGvAUS 🇦🇺 | Adil Rashid pic.twitter.com/rVqe8oDbQ6
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 23, 2024
The Third ODI in Durham will be Rashid’s 138th cap for England, but the spin bowler has no plans to follow fellow spinner Moeen Ali into retirement. “I have not thought about it [retirement] yet,” told Rashid.
“Keep playing, enjoy it, stay fit, bowl well, contribute to wins, hopefully World Cups and Champions Trophies – that is my ultimate aim. I have not thought about retiring or calling it a day any time soon.”
Having suffered defeat in both their White-ball world titles in the past year, England is looking to build a strong team ahead of the Champions trophy in 2025.
Joe Root who got rest before next month’s test tour of Pakistan and injured captain Jos Buttler are expected to be in England’s plans.
The Headingley against Australia was England’s 10th in their past 14 ODIs, but Rashid insisted that they have the talent to improve.
“There have been big changes, new batters, new bowlers,” Rashid 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.”
The third ODI match between England and Australia will be played on September 24 at Riverside Ground.
