Australia vs England ODIs 2018: 5 players to watch out for 

Adil Rashid

Adil Rashid

In the modern game with bigger bats, flatter pitches and the game generally tending to favor the batsman, it is very rare to see a bowler do well and be noticed in the limited overs formats of the game.

One such bowler is the quiet, unassuming leg-spinner from England - Adil Rashid. He has along with Moeen Ali, has been able to control innings, bring down the scoring rate of the opposition and in the process getting wickets for his side.

His stock ball is the leg-spinner but his well-disguised googly foxes even the best players of spin. He is one bowler who doesn’t necessarily need a turning pitch to be threatening. If the pitch grips and has something in it for the bowlers, Rashid will be effective.

Eoin Morgan usually bowls Rashid in the middle overs to stifle the run flow. And he has responded well to what’s expected from him. He has picked up 77 wickets in 55 ODIs, with a very impressive economy rate of 5.52.

With Moen Ali going through a torrid time in the Ashes and the availability of Ben Stokes still unclear for the ODI series, Adil Rashid’s role significantly increases. He will be looked at to get wickets and not just contain the Australian run flow.

Having seen Adil Rashid’s growth as a leg-spinner over the past 12-15 months, this series will witness him taking over as a strike bowler than a support act to the fast bowlers. It will be a big test for the leg-spinner and England will be hoping he bowls well and helps them in their success.