Gillespie confirms Rashid is Adelaide bound

Yorkshire's head coach Jason Gillespie has confirmed that Adil Rashid is heading for the Adelaide Strikers after being left out of England's tour of South Africa.

When Rashid was dropped from England's Test squad for the tour of South Africa, it came with the suggestion from England's national selector James Whitaker that he would have an opportunity to develop his white-ball skills in the Big Bash League ahead of the World T20 in India next spring.

Now Gillespie has confirmed ESPNcricinfo's prediction that Adelaide was his likely destination. Gillespie holds the same role with the Strikers as he does at Yorkshire and when he flies out to Australia next week it will be in the knowledge that he has secured Rashid as his second overseas import.

Gillespie said: "As soon as we identified that we needed another spin option for this summer, Adil was one of the first names that came to mind. He is one of the most exciting emerging spinners on the international stage and I have watched him improve and mature year on year. I feel he is the perfect fit for the team and it is exciting to have him on board."

It will be familar ground for Rashid. He played for the Redbacks - a forerunner of the Strikers - when they won the T20 title four years ago.

Rashid will join West Indies allrounder Kieron Pollard in Strikers colours. They begin their T20 campaign against the Melbourne Stars at Adelaide Oval on December 18.