Harry Brook Calls Adil Rashid a 'Magician', Yet Keeps Selection Open Ahead of Perth ODI

Ahead of England's ODI series opener against Australia in Perth on November 13, 2026, white-ball captain Harry Brook hailed Adil Rashid as a "magician with the ball", yet stopped short of guaranteeing the veteran legspinner a spot in the playing XI.

"But Liam Dawson did an exceptional job in Pakistan, and he did the role very well. He had a lot of clarity at the top of his mark, he knew exactly what he needed to do, and he performed well.

Conditions-Based Selection: Brook emphasized that final XI decisions—including whether Rashid returns—will depend heavily on pitch conditions at Perth Stadium. While praising Rashid's match-winning ability to dismantle any batting line-up, Brook made clear that no spot is automatic.

Competition From Liam Dawson: Rashid was notably left out during England's recent ODI tri-series in Pakistan, where left-arm spinner Liam Dawson stepped in and delivered disciplined spells (including finishing as England's most economical bowler in Rawalpindi despite Sri Lanka chasing down 430). Brook credited Dawson for doing "an excellent job in Pakistan" and performing his role effectively.

Middle-Overs Control: Brook identified dominating the middle overs—both with bat and ball—as England's primary tactical objective for the Australia series, noting it is the exact area where the world's top ODI teams currently hold the upper hand.

World Cup Horizon: Former white-ball skipper Jos Buttler—who is missing the Australia tour while recovering from hamstring surgery—recently reiterated that England need Rashid "bowling at his best" to win the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, following a slight dip in Rashid's recent form and fitness, Brook is balancing long-term World Cup planning with immediate tactical requirements.