THERE HAS been a lot of talk over recent weeks about the selection or otherwise of Adil Rashid in England’s Test team, possibly even as the sole spinner in place of Moeen Ali.

As somebody who plays with him, I believe there’s no better spinner in the country than Adil as a threat and wicket-taker when he’s bowling well.

It comes down to what sort of role England want their spinner to take on.

If they want an attacking spinner who is going to create plenty of opportunities, he’s definitely your guy.

If you are wanting somebody to relieve the pressure on the seamers for 20 or 30 overs in an innings, there will obviously be different options around the country.

But, certainly, as an attacking option, I don’t see any other spinner who’s better.

With me saying there’s different options around to relieve pressure on the seamers, that’s not me saying Adil can’t do that job. He can.

The thing with him is that when he’s bowling well, he doesn’t go for runs. If he’s in a decent headspace and is bowling well, he does both – creates opportunities and doesn’t go for runs.

As long as he gets the right message, I don’t see why he can’t play as the single spinner.

He’s certainly in for a massive winter because England are likely to play two spinners on their tours of Bangladesh and India.

There’s no doubt in my mind that he will play a lot of international cricket during a career which is only about halfway through.

He’s bowled well for the best part of a decade, and he is still only 28. He’s probably got another ten years left in him.

Myself and Azeem Rafiq were having a conversation with him the other week and were saying ‘you could easily end your career with 1,000 first-class wickets’.

But I don’t think he quite appreciates how good he is and how long he has left.

It was a conversation we sort of had in jest with him, but I certainly believe he could get to 1,000 given the fact that he’s approaching 450 now.

*Alex and his sponsors Pennine Business Partners are aiming to Hit Cancer for Six in 2016. They are donating £10 to the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust every time Alex hits a six or takes a catch, and are asking cricket lovers everywhere to support this great cause that provides special care and support to young people fighting cancer. Visit Pennine Business Partners page on Just Giving https://www.justgiving.com/Pennine-Business-Partners