Not sure what I think about this ….. given my main interest is red ball cricket I probably just think this a drain on resources.
Sir Ian Botham believes that the criticism of Adil Rashid’s inclusion in England’s Test squad is “unnecessary” and says that he has little sympathy with Yorkshire.
He criticised Michael Vaughan for his comments about Rashid and said that Durham, where he is chairman, would try to sign the leg spinner.
Suppose it’s no surprise that Botham, who was so outspoken and somewhat of an outcast (meant in the most positive way) during his playing days, would continue to be like that in his role of chairman.
If Rashid wants to resurrect his career, I have no qualms whatsoever about him doing it with us. In the same way that Plunkett needed a clean break and prospered under Gillespie at Yorkshire - I’d be willing to see us take a punt on Rashid.
I’d be very surprised however if he would want to come here, or if we could afford to compete with the likes of Surrey or Nottinghamshire for his signature.
If however, he merely wishes to continue to be indulged by only having to play white ball cricket, he can foxtrot oscar, the small resources we have should be spent on cricketers who want to do their best for Durham all summer long in every format. For what it’s worth, if we’re going to sign anybody to a short term, lucrative white ball contract, the club should do everything they can to get Tahir back.
Botham’s quotes:
"We will definitely talk to him," Botham said. "Of course we will.
"It is very competitive out there and everyone wants to get out of the second division. We won't do it this year but we'll do it next year with the way we are going and the way we are restructuring. We need to make it a side that people like Adil Rashid will look at and say 'it is only up the road and I can see where they are going and I would happily go there'.
"It is very hard to have much sympathy for Yorkshire. I have lost players - we have lost five key players at Durham - that have been poached around the north. I say poached and I stick by it.
"I have seen some pretty ridiculous stuff written over the last couple of days and I am very much on Adil's side."
Can’t disagree with any of that, especially the bit about our players having been poached. Stoneman, Borthwick, Jennings, Coughlin and Hart an absolute certainty. Onions not so much.
