The selectors were subsequently pilloried for their choice as poor young Kerrigan froze under the spotlight and lost control of his bowling. Yet even though this was a cruel occasion for Kerrigan - he has not been sighted at international level since - the decision to select him was valuable because it was so informative. If only England had had the courage to glean a bit more information about Rashid in Barbados.
On Wednesday James Whitaker, the national selector, explained Rashid's inclusion by saying "it provides Alastair and Trevor with plenty of bowling options and the surface at Cardiff will dictate who makes the final XI". The implication here is that Rashid could be the second spinner. This is more likely than Rashid replacing Moeen Ali, even though the off-spinner has not shown much form this summer.
When Cardiff hosted its first ever Test match against Australia in 2009, England, bowing to the reputation of the ground, selected two spinners, Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, both of whom were far more proven than the current crop. Between them they bowled 73 overs and took one for 246 - although both batted rather well on the final day. Both Cook and Andrew Strauss were playing in that game. They will take some persuading that picking two spinners is the best option this time round.
The selection of Rashid is the only surprise, albeit a mild one, in the squad. Otherwise the personnel come from those who played against New Zealand or who bonded in Spain this last weekend. Steven Finn, who has not played a five-day match since the Trent Bridge Test Ashes Test of 2013, has earned his recall but his passage will have been eased by Liam Plunkett's recent calf-strain.
Apparently the batting order will remain the same - hence Gary Ballance, so statuesque against the New Zealand new-ball bowlers stays at No3 - and so will the slip cordon. This represents quite a vote of confidence in Ian Bell at second slip even though Adam Lyth's credentials, gained in county cricket, are much more convincing.
England have not selected a spare batsman in the squad and maybe this really is to placate proud Yorkshiremen.
The pecking order just beyond Test level has probably changed in the past few weeks.
If a fresh batsman was required this may now entail a call-up for Jonny Bairstow, who has been scoring runs aplenty against any colour of ball. It really might be bad for the health of dear old Dickie if Bairstow as well as Rashid was called up and then not required.