Not Broad, but Rashid is the 'new Freddie' for me: Warne

London:

Not Stuart Broad but leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who is yet to make his Test debut, is the best bet to fill in England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff's shoes in the five-day format, feels Australian spin legend Shane Warne.

A few names, including that of Broad, were doing the rounds as Flintoff's probable successor after the 31-year-old all-rounder quit five-day format following England's 197-run victory over Australia in the last Ashes Test at The Oval.

"I hope that Stuart Broad isn't going to be labelled with the tag of 'next Freddie'. He seems to have his feet on the ground and there is no doubt about his promise. But I think England may have another stronger candidate waiting to fill that all-rounder's role," Warne wrote in his column in 'The Times'.

"My alternative, though, is Adil Rashid. Yes, he's a spin bowler rather than a seamer, but there is no reason why England can't go with three pacemen and two spinners. That's a balanced attack, to me.

"Rashid has scored hundreds and taken five wickets in an innings in his past two matches for Yorkshire. He's a real all-rounder," he added.

Warne, however, refused to buy the theory that a spinning all-rounder cannot fill in the void created in English cricket by Flintoff's retirement.

"A seven-eight-nine of Rashid, Broad and Graeme Swann would be pretty effective in Test cricket. Perhaps in time Broad and Rashid would switch positions. Rashid just looks ready to come into the fold and should be picked for the South Africa tour," he said.

"I spent some time with him a couple of years ago when Hampshire played Yorkshire. Rashid seemed confident and knew what he was talking about. At the time he was only 19 or 20, but he had a good understanding of bowling. Most important, he liked to spin the ball," Warne recalled.