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Dizzy backs decision to axe Rashid

Yorkshire and Adelaide Strikers coach says allrounder will benefit more from BBL stint than as a Test reserve

Jason Gillespie - like all domestic coaches - is normally keen to push his players in the direction of national selectors, but the former Test quick has briefly steered away from that mantra and backed England's decision to omit Yorkshire and Adelaide Strikers allrounder Adil Rashid for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

Rashid made his Test debut during England's 2-0 series loss to Pakistan in the UAE, claiming a five-wicket haul on debut and posting a defiant 61 in the second Test in Dubai.

Despite some promising signs as the second spin option alongside Moeen Ali, Rashid was last week left out of England's 16-man squad for the four-Test series against the Proteas, starting on Boxing Day.

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England selector James Whitaker explained that with conditions in South Africa expected to favour the quicks, the chances of England fielding two spinners were minimal and Rashid would likely have watched the majority of the series from the sidelines, especially with spin-bowling allrounder Samit Patel also in the touring party.

Instead, Rashid will spend the southern summer with his Yorkshire coach Gillespie at the Adelaide Strikers, a move that had long been mooted and was finally rubber-stamped less than 24 hours after England's squad was announced.

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With the World T20 on the horizon, Gillespie says the right decision was made for all parties.

"On one hand I am gutted for him that he is not involved," the 40-year-old said on Tuesday. "I certainly believe he is in the best England squad in Test cricket.

"All the words we are hearing in the media is that, with the conditions out in South Africa, it is unlikely England will play two spinners.

"I think that they have weighed up what will be better. If he is not going to play, is he better served fulfilling this opportunity in the Big Bash and playing some cricket leading into more challenges that England have got in the shorter forms of the game in the new year, or carrying drinks around South Africa?

"England's management made that call and I think it is a good decision. You would rather a player is playing than just wearing a bib and carrying drinks.

"He just needs to play, really. It is a balancing act. I think there is some thought gone into this by the selectors and the England management.

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"They feel, at this point in time, that there is an opportunity for Adil to play in the Big Bash. They have done it with (Perth Scorchers allrounder) David Willey as well.

"You weigh up a Lions tour or an opportunity to play in one of the biggest T20 tournaments in the world. These are good decisions, in the best interests of the player and the England team."

And with the Strikers set to be one of the major benefactors of the decision, new coach Gillespie had an extra reason to be pleased.

"I am happy with it - especially with my Adelaide Strikers hat on, I am delighted," he added.

Rashid will be one of six Englishman to take part in BBL|05; Willey will join countryman Michael Carberry at the defending champion Scorchers, while Melbourne Stars also boast two English players on their roster with the returns of Kevin Pietersen and Luke Wright, and Michael Lumb continues his run at the Sydney Sixers.