World Cup 2023: Nice to get into a rhythm, says Adil Rashid after bowling Australia out for 286 in Ahmedabad

England spin-bowler Adil Rashid said it was nice for him to get into a rhythm following his two-wicket haul against Australia in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Rashid’s effort helped England bowl Australia out for 286 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

AUS vs ENG Scorecard | World Cup 2023 Points Table

Speaking after the first innings, Rashid said it was nice for him to get into a rhythm, insisting that he stuck to the basics in Ahmedabad. Rashid claimed the wickets of Steve Smith and Josh Inglis, while giving away just 38 runs in 10 overs.

“It came out well today. Nice to get into a rhythm and nice to get early wickets as well. For me, it was about sticking to the basics and bowling googlies and leg breaks today. I stuck to bowling slowly and it is all on the day. Things were happening off the slower balls,” said Rashid.

He went on to laud England’s fielding effort, adding that they would’ve taken a 287-run target at the start of the day. Chris Woakes was the pick of the England bowlers, picking four wickets in Ahmedabad.

“Good fielding effort by our boys I feel. I thought it has been a good first half. Chasing 287 is fine for us and we would have taken it at the start of the day. Looking forward to the chase,” Rashid added.

Australia posted 286 runs in 49.3 overs on the back of a half-century from Marnus Labuschagne. The middle-order batter scored 71 runs off 83 balls, hitting seven boundaries while Cameron Green and Steve Smith chipped in with 47 and 44 respectively.

Having lost six of their opening seeven games, England will have to win their remaining two matches to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy.