Quote:[size=12pt]England confirmed that they had refused a request by Yorkshire to release from this tour the leg-spinner Adil Rashid who has not appeared in either of the first two Tests. Yorkshire were hoping that Rashid might appear in their Championship match against potential title rivals Warwickshire on Sunday.

It is surprising that the request was made given the well-established mantra that when Yorkshire are strong, England are strong, and Yorkshire are again champions. They have six players on this tour, of whom four are not in the present Test team.

The county, whose chairman, Colin Graves, is about to become chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, are anxious to retain their title. Rashid is not a centrally contracted player but he is contracted to England for this tour.[/size]