Adil Rashid Spins: Veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid etched his name in the record books on Tuesday, becoming the first Englishman to touch the 100-wicket mark in the T20I format. This landmark achievement came during the first T20I against West Indies in Bridgetown.
Rashid, 35, spun his magic with figures of 2/25 in his four overs, claiming the key scalps of Kyle Mayers and Shimron Hetmyer. Throughout his 100 T20I appearances, he has amassed a commendable 100 wickets at an average of 25.99 and a strike rate of 20.96. His best bowling figures remain an exceptional 4/2.
Hot on his heels is fellow pace bowler Chris Jordan with 96 wickets from 88 matches, while the legendary Stuart Broad occupies third place with 65 wickets in 56 games.
Rashid’s journey to the top doesn’t stop there. He has also surpassed Moeen Ali to become England’s second-most successful spin bowler, currently occupying the eighth spot in the country’s overall wicket-taking rankings and second amongst spinners.
Adil Rashid becomes the first @EnglandCricket player to reach 1⃣0⃣0⃣ T20i wickets 🏴
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) December 13, 2023
On his 1⃣0⃣0⃣th cap 👏#WIvENG pic.twitter.com/duuqIuPr9W
In his 254 international matches across formats, Rashid has snagged 359 wickets at an average of 31.66 and a strike rate of 35.37, with a best of 5/27. He boasts four five-wicket hauls in his illustrious career. Moeen, for comparison, has 358 wickets in 284 matches.
England’s spin bowling mantle rests with the legendary Graeme Swann, who holds the record for most wickets by an English spinner, with 410 dismissals at an average of 27.77 in 178 matches, including a best of 6/65. He also sits at fifth place in the overall England wicket-taking list.
Overall, James Anderson remains England’s all-format leading wicket-taker with an astounding 977 scalps in 396 matches, averaging 27.27 and boasting a best of 6/7.
