Joe Root was in full support of the decision to recall Adil Rashid, reveals Ed Smith

But Smith was adamant both his panel and Joe Root, who would have to decide when Rashid bowls if his Yorkshire team-mate would be included in England's final XI at Edgbaston, were comfortable with a "one-off" move. He pointed out that Rashid has been in form of his life throughout the summer and has evolved as a much better bowler, hence, his selection was justified. 

"We are fully aware of the summer we are having and the likelihood that the pitches are going to turn," Smith told reporters at The Oval after a squad announcement that also saw a recall for off-spinner Moeen Ali. In the event of needing two spinners how would we get people into the side who turn the ball in different directions? In that context is obviously Adil's form in white-ball cricket, his confidence, his touch, the fact that he has evolved so much as a bowler and is in the form of his life,” said Ed Smith as quoted by Firstpost.

Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Jack Leach, who like Rashid turns the ball away from right-handed batsmen, suffered a concussion on his return to county cricket with Somerset after breaking his thumb on the eve of the Pakistan series and so has yet to add to his debut cap against New Zealand in Christchurch. Root, one of the world's leading batsmen, took career-best figures of four for five with his occasional off-spin during Yorkshire's recent win over Lancashire — a match where Yorkshire had to sign up leg-spinner Josh Poysden on loan because Rashid was unavailable. 

"I was kind of surprised. To get back in the Test side, usually people have got to go back to their counties and perform to be considered," he told Sky Sports.