By JMB
December 20 2006

Just when the season was spluttering to the predictable conclusion of Championshop relegation up stepped two youngsters. Adil Rashid and Mark Lawson came to the fore during the last half of the season, taking wickets aplenty. The spin twins had arrived and received national acclaim. Yorkshire who had struggled to bowl sides out twice all season suddenly turned to youth in July, providing 18 year old Adil Rashid with his debut against Warwickshire, and then reigniting the career of the then 20 year old Mark Lawson. It was a brave decision by coach David Byas to throw the young leg-spinners into the same side. It was prompted as much by desperation as design, but even so the spin twins took their chance with both hands.

It is thanks to Darren Lehmann, and his pulled calf muscle, that Rashid was handed his Championship debut. If Lehmann had recovered from his injury it is unlikely that a spot would have been open for Rashid. Rashid earned his chance in the Yorkshire first XI on the back of four consecutive hundreds in the second team, but it was with the ball that he hit the headlines.

On his debut a magnificent match winning 6 for 67 demolished Warwickshire at Scarborough as Yorkshire wrapped up their second win on the bounce through mid-July. One after another Rashid bamboozled the top order. His wickets were not the lower order having a slog, but high quality and seasoned batsmen. Nick Knight was undone by a googly and he removed Ian Westwood and Jonathan Trott when they were well set.

Rashid said after his stunning debut "I was a bit nervous at the start, being the new boy, but I soon got used to it and had plenty of confidence. I was feeling a bit tired in the last couple of overs - but I never felt I wanted to stop bowling. Captain Craig White asked at tea-time how I was feeling, and I said I felt fresh because I wanted a 'five-for' and didn't want to be taken off."

Yorkshire lost Rashid to England U19 duty where he took 10 for 202 and made 114 and 48 to further enhance his burgeoning reputation.

It wasn't until the end of July that Lawson and Rashid played together, again at Scarborough. Weather denied Yorkshire victory, but not before the spin twins had shared all ten Middlesex second innings wickets. Mark Lawson's rise hasn't been as meteoric as Rashid's. He has spent a long time on the sidelines, picking up the odd game here and there and representing England at Under 19 level. Many believe he should have played for Yorkshire much more than he has.

The problem now for Yorkshire fans is trying not to get too excited. England U19 coach John Abrahams issued a note of caution about Rashid saying "It's very early days and it would be unfair on him to expect too much, too quickly. He's a quiet lad but works extremely hard at his game and takes on board all types of advice. As a bowler, he has all the variations - sometimes using them a little too much as a young bowler is prone too - but he is a hugely determined character. "

It is difficult as a Yorkshire fan not to get excited by both Rashid and Lawson. Rashid won the PCA's player of the month award for July and shared the 2006 Yorkshire Young Cricketer award with spin partner Mark Lawson. The best thing for English cricket is that they are allowed to develop at their own pace. Rashid has suffered a close season stress injury which he appears to have recovered from. If we want to see him reach his full potential for Yorkshire and England he needs to be treated wisely.

Both Lawson and Rashid will benefit from Yorkshire's division one survival. Whatever happens though Yorkshire fans will never forget Rashid and Lawson's heroics in 2006.

Adil Rashid took 25 wickets at 25.19 with a best of 6-67
Mark Lawson took 26 wickets at 34.50 with a best of 6-88

Both players can hold a bat too. Rashid's highest score being 67 and Lawson's 44.



Part 3: One Day Disappointments (to follow soon)