YORKSHIRE received a boost to their championship prospects after the leg spinner Adil Rashid was released from England Under-19 duty to remain with the county for three crucial fixtures. Rashid, Yorkshire’s top wicket-taker with 29 scalps, had been due to miss matches against Lancashire, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire for a three-Test series against Pakistan’s under-19 squad.

The threat of Rashid’s absence prompted Yorkshire coach Martyn Moxon to point out that Rashid would benefit more from bowling against the likes of international class batsmen Stuart Law and Brad Hodge, and batting against Muttiah Muralitharan. Rashid, who turned out for England Lions this month against India, only added six to his overnight score to reach 48 as rain washed out all but two overs of Yorkshire’s match against Surrey at Headingley. No play was possible at Chester-le-Street, where Durham were due to face Hampshire, or at Derby for the game against Glamorgan.