Rashid grateful for backing of Aussie cricket greats
England leg-spinner Adil Rashid has expressed his thanks for the backing of Australia greats Jason Gillespie and Shane Warne but insisted it is down to him to secure his place in international cricket.
Rashid, 28, has long been regarded as the most promising England slow bowler of his generation.
He had received plenty of support from Warne, perhaps the greatest leg-break bowler cricket has known.
The retired spinner's former Test team-mate Gillespie is Rashid's coach at English county champions Yorkshire.
Rashid has featured in all of England's last 22 one-ay internationals, a run stretching back to May 2015 which saw him recalled after six years out of national service.
The first two matches of England's ongoing five-game series with Sri Lanka have seen Rashid return impressive combined figures of two for 70 in his maximum 20 overs.
His two wickets at Edgbaston on Friday helped pave the way for a 10-wicket win that saw England go 1-0 up in the five-match series following Tuesday's tie at Trent Bridge.
Rashid is also keen to add to his three Tests caps, with former Australia fast bowler Gillespie believing he could relace Moeen Ali as England's specialist slow bowler in five-day cricket.
"It can be good (having someone like that rate you)," said Rashid ahead of Sunday's third ODI in Bristol, southwest England.
"But you can get a lot of people rating you. It is up to the individual to not let that get to his head and keep concentrating on what is in front of him."
Gillespie, who also signed Rashid for Adelaide Strikers in Australian domestic cricket's Twenty20 Big Bash tournament, said before the start of the current English season that good man-management was the key to getting the best out of the leg-spinner.
"Jason is a high-quality coach, who has played for Australia -- so he has got a lot of experience," said Rashid.
"The way he talks to me helps, so it is good to have him there as well."
Turning to Warne, who had a lengthy practice session with Rashid prior to the third Test against Pakistan in Sharjah in November and spoke to him again before the first ODI against Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge, the Yorkshireman added: "It was just before the (first ODI) at Notts - I had a general chat with him about leg-spin.
"He gives his tips ... which are helpful."
Rashid, reflecting on his past year with England, said: "It has been a good 12 months for me, especially with the white ball.
"Every series that has gone by, I have looked to improve and gain experience as well and got more confident.
"It's probably the most consistent (I've been), in the last two games.
"I am getting better mentally, and with my skills, but you can always have a bad day or a bad game or series ? so it is being strong in the mind."
As for his Test hopes, Rashid added: "They are quite strong, but I think that is quite a long way away.
"At the moment I am just trying to concentrate on the ODIs and the Twenty20s that are in front of me -? and hope that will take care of itself further down the line.
"I don't think of replacing Mo or anything like that."