Skip to main content
Donate to the 95 years appeal
England’s Rashid rules out Ashes return
England's Adil Rashid speaks to the media during a nets session at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, September 9, 2025

ADIL RASHID says he would reject an Ashes invitation from England this winter and not return to the Test stage after seven years.

Rashid made his last Test appearance in January 2019 and has not played a first-class game since then, instead focusing on white-ball cricket.

But the 37-year-old leg spinner has never formally announced his Test retirement, leading to speculation that he could one day return to the longer format of the game.

Fellow spinner Moeen Ali answered captain Ben Stokes’s call in 2023 and ended his Test retirement after 18 months for the Ashes battle with Australia on home soil.

Asked today, ahead of England’s T20 series against South Africa, what he would say should Stokes make the same call to him this winter, Rashid said: “It would be a no. I think I’m quite comfortable and confident of what I have been doing for the past seven years.

“I’ve finished red-ball cricket, so I’m quite confident in my own game in that sense.

“I’m sure It wouldn’t even come that way because the spinners coming through now are very good.

“When they go there they’ll put good performances in, and I’m confident they’ve got the spinners sorted.”

Rashid made his 300th appearance for England in all formats during the recent ODI series against South Africa, which England lost 2-1.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
England's Amy Cokayne celebrates scoring a try during the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 semi-final match at Ashton Gate, Bristol. Picture date: Saturday September 20, 2025
Women’s Rugby Union / 26 September 2025
26 September 2025
People protest the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech racing team during the Montreal Grand Prix cycling race in Montreal, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025
Men’s cycling / 26 September 2025
26 September 2025
Celtic fans lift a protest banner about Israel during the Champions League playoff first leg soccer match between Glasgow Celtic and Bayern Munich at the Celtic Park Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, February 12, 2025
Men’s football / 25 September 2025
25 September 2025

Governing body set to hold meeting next week over potential ban

Team Europe's Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, returns a shot against Team World's Francisco Cerundolo, of Argentina, during their match on the third day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025
Men’s Tennis / 25 September 2025
25 September 2025