Saturday 5 September 2015 16:13, UK
Sir Ian Botham feels Adil Rashid has come of age as an international player and is predicting a bright future for the England leg-spinner.
Rashid produced a stand-out performance in the opening match of the Royal London one-day series on Thursday, taking the first four Australia wickets to fall on his way to figures of 4-59, but he was unable to prevent England from slipping to a 59-run defeat.
The Yorkshire bowler has struggled to command a regular place in England's one-day set-up since making his debut in 2009 and is still to earn a Test start.
But Botham feels the 27-year-old's impressive display against the world champions at the Ageas Bowl could now see him blossom on the international stage.
The Sky Sports cricket pundit said: "I was delighted to see Rashid perform as well as he did; he showed later in the innings that he can bat as well.
"It could be the springboard to launch his career now. He bowled under pressure and he bowled really well.
"I was delighted for him. I've been wanting him in the side for some time. He should have played in the Caribbean, he was the stand-out player for me."
Rashid picked up the wickets of Joe Burns, David Warner, skipper Steve Smith and George Bailey as the tourists slipped to 193-6 but Mathew Wade (71 not out) and Mitchell Marsh (40 not out) rescued the situation as Australia posted 305-6 from their 50 overs.
England reached 112-1 in reply as Jason Roy (67) went on the offensive only to slump to 194-7, the collapse leading to a comprehensive defeat.
Botham added: "They got beaten by a good side – remember, Australia are world champions but there were a lot of good things to come out of the game.
"The boys batted well at the top of the order but then let things slip. I'm not too worried about the defeat because all of the games in this series are going to be tight and exciting."
England will attempt to square the series at Lord's on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 2 from 10am, and Botham believes the selectors may consider handing Northants all-rounder David Willey a starting berth.
"I think there's definitely a case for Willey to come back into the side, because he offers variation with his left-arm over. He bowled pretty well in the T20 victory," he said.
Botham also heaped praise on the facilities at the Aegas Bowl and was impressed with the quality of the wicket.
He said: "The wicket here at the Aegas Bowl is the best one I've seen for one-day cricket; if there's a better ground in the country I'll be surprised.
"The ground, now it's completed, is a delight the players wouldn't mind coming here for three Tests a year, let alone one.
"It's new, it's modern; Lord's has all the history and will always be number one but this ground is setting new standards."
Result: England win - 11/8
England top bat: Ben Stokes - 11/2
Australia top bat: Steve Smith - 11/4
England top bowler: David Willey - 4/1
Australia top bowler: Mitchell Marsh - 11/2
Watch England take on Australia in the second ODI at Lord's from 10am this Saturday on Sky Sports 2.
