Pakistan vs England: Shane Warne says tourists must be patient to coax more magic from Adil Rashid

In seeking anything legal to give them a chance of levelling the Test series, England summoned their secret weapon yesterday. The only trouble was that their opponents, Pakistan, had already thought of the same idea.

Shane Warne, for it was he, offered advice and guidance born of 708 Test wickets, to the England leg-spinner, Adil Rashid. The day before, he had made his distinguished services available to Yasir Shah, Rashid’s counterpart in the opposition ranks.

On the basis that Warne’s personal tutorials were mutually effective, both players and their sides will benefit equally in the third Test starting tomorrow. He was typically effusive about both his pupils.

Having described Yasir as the world’s best spinner on the strength of what he saw, this might have left Rashid feeling somewhat off the pace. But after spending an hour watching Rashid bowl, frequently offering suggestions, Warne was hardly less impressed.

“There were a few messages but the overriding thing is that he’s a wonderful bowler,” said Warne. “When anyone first starts their Test career, it takes time to see the best of them.

“What we’ve seen already from Rashid are some glimpses of magic – that five-for in the first Test. So we’ve already seen he can do it at this level. It’s about being consistent and that’s going to take time. All of us need to be a little bit patient with him. He needs to be patient, too.”

In his maiden Test in Abu Dhabi a fortnight ago, Rashid took 0-163 in the first innings, the worst analysis by a debutant, but responded to that adversity with 5-64 in the second, figures which almost paved the way for an England victory. He was less incisive in Dubai during the Second Test when he bowled too many poor balls, Pakistan decided they ought to attack him and he went at more than four runs an over. Warne did not see this as a drawback.

“We’re playing on spinning pitches and expectations are that he’ll rip them and take five-for straightaway,” he said. “But, as we all know, when you come into Test cricket, it’s hard work especially when you’re bowling these (leg-breaks).

“You’re going to bowl a bit of rubbish, a few full tosses, some drag-downs. You’re going to get whacked. It’s about how you come back for that second spell and as the match goes on and the conditions suit on day five, that’s when you can really come into your own. So we’re talking about finding a way to stay in the game in the first innings, some tactics and strategies for some of their batters.”

England will continue with at least two spinners in a match they must win to avoid their third consecutive away series defeat against Pakistan (and the fifth in the last six rubbers between the sides). This means that Moeen Ali will continue to open the batting.

The tourists must decide whether to pack the side with slow bowlers by calling up the left-armer Samit Patel in place of Mark Wood, who will not play. Wood’s chronic ankle complaint has persuaded the medical team that he needs resting from tomorrow’s match.

This is a pity for Wood and the side since he had just found his most penetrating form since first being picked last May. Unless and until he has surgery on the ankle it will need rest from the considerable strain he puts on it with his shortened but high-energy run up.

The likely replacement is Liam Plunkett who may provide some similar short ball velocity of the sort always designed to keep batsmen watchful, even on the sort of pitches England have had to contend with on this trip. Patel’s inclusion would make sense only if England felt the ball would turn from the first day and spin more violently as the match wears on – and even then it does not guarantee them control.

Wood’s absence will entail two changes in the England side. Jonny Bairstow will keep wicket instead of Jos Buttler with James Taylor coming in as a middle order batsman for his first Test since 2012.

Warne took 16 wickets in his two Tests in Sharjah 13 years ago, the first of which Australia won in two days. He expects that both Yasir and Rashid may be influential this time.

“Watching Yasir yesterday, I think he is the best spinner in the world,” Warne said. “I think he has the best leg-break I’ve ever seen. But I’m not comparing Rashid with him. They are completely different bowlers. Rashid can be just as successful. It’s a different style. It doesn’t mean it is not as effective. Two wonderful leg-spinners playing in the same series – it’s good to watch.”

Indeed it is, and if Rashid can come out on top it could have huge significance for England in the next five years.