ENGLAND World Cup winner Adil Rashid is back in Yorkshire’s squad for the first time this season, with the county hoping he will provide a timely boost to their Vitality Blast campaign.

Rashid’s inclusion in a 15-man squad for Friday’s home clash with Worcestershire at Emerald Headingley (6.30pm) comes after a period of rest since England’s breathless Lord’s final victory over New Zealand on July 14.

The leg-spinner’s appearance in the Vikings 11, however, is not yet certain as the White Rose medical staff assess his fitness following a long-standing shoulder complaint.

Rashid, 31, claimed eleven wickets from as many appearances during a seamers’ World Cup.

The only spinner with more wickets was India leggie Yuzvendra Chahal with 12. The top 18 bowlers in the tournament were all seamers.

Rashid, however, saved his best for nearly last, claiming 3-54 in the semi-final victory over Australia at Edgbaston as they posted only 223 batting first.

“I didn’t watch a great deal of the World Cup because we were playing right through it, but I don’t think he picked up the wickets he’d have liked in the early stages,” said White Rose coach Andrew Gale.

“I watched the game against Australia, and he was excellent. He was a big part of that win.

“The thing is with Rash, you know there’s always a big game in him somewhere, and he came good at the right time in that semi-final.

“It’s not just about the World Cup, though. Look at what he’s done over the last three or four years for England. He’s been a linchpin in that team.

“He’s been getting better and better in white ball cricket.”

The plan now is for him to be available, pending fitness, for the remainder of the Blast. His availability for the final four County Championship matches of the season will be determined by the ECB, to whom he is centrally contracted.

Gale said: “Pending injury, we’re getting a match-winner back in our side, and that’s what T20 is all about - getting as many of them in your side as possible.

“He will be a big asset to us in those middle overs because he’s a wicket-taker. And when you’re doing that, you’re stalling run-rates. He knows his game inside out in that format, and we’ll welcome him back with open arms.

“Jack Shutt did really well on Thursday (two wickets of debut against Lancashire. He came in and did a job with his off-spin.

“But I’m also a big fan of a wrist spinner in the side in T20 cricket, hence the reason we signed Josh Poysden last year. Unfortunately for him, he’s not going to be around for the rest of the season, which means Rash’s return comes at a good time.”

After five games, Yorkshire have won one, lost two and had two No Results - the latest washout coming against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road on Sunday.

There are still nine games remaining in pursuit of a top four finish and a quarter-final berth, but they can’t afford too many more slip ups.

Worcester are playing tonight (Wednesday) against Derbyshire at New Road.

Heading into that clash, they had won two, lost one and had a No Result.

There is further mixed availability news for Yorkshire. Captain Steve Patterson returns having been rested from the first five North Group games, but fledgling left-arm spinner James Logan has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a stress fracture of his back.

Yorkshire squad: Patterson c, Ballance, Bess, Bresnan, Brook, Leaning, Lyth, Olivier, Patterson, Pillans, Rashid, Shutt, Tattersall w, Kohler-Cadmore, Thompson, Willey.