'Magician' to spin web with Strikers

English leg-spinner Adil Rashid, recently described by spin king Shane Warne as possessing "glimpses of magic", has been named as the Adelaide Strikers' second international import for the upcoming BBL|05. 

The 27-year-old Rashid has enjoyed a breakout year for England, and will join West Indies allrounder Kieron Pollard in Strikers colours as the South Australian side begin their campaign against the Melbourne Stars at Adelaide Oval on December 18. 

Warne trained with Rashid late last month in Sharjah, and says the spinner is a "wonderful bowler". 

Quick Single: Warne's high praise for England leggie 

Rashid made his Test debut against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates last month on the back of some impressive one-day international performances against both New Zealand and Australia on home soil, and has career-best figures of 4-55 with the ball and 69 with the bat.

Rashid will return to familiar territory with the Strikers, as he was part of the West End Redbacks team in 2010-11 that won the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash title.

Strikers coach Jason Gillespie, who spent three years with Rashid at English county side Yorkshire, feels Rashid is "one of the most exciting spinners on the international stage". 

"I have watched him improve and mature year on year," Gillespie said. 

"I feel he is the perfect fit for the team, and it is exciting to have him on board."

Rashid has strong form at domestic level in the shortest form of the game, taking 4-16 as Yorkshire secured the Emirates Airline T20 title in March with a 74-run win over defending champions Sussex.

Samit Patel was the second spinner named in England's Test squad for South Africa, leaving Rashid free to play in the BBL. 

"Adil Rashid showed plenty of promise in the UAE but the conditions in South Africa make the likelihood of playing two spinners extremely remote," England and Wales Cricket Board national selector James Whitaker said.

"Although he would have been selected as a back-up spinner we feel there is an excellent opportunity for him to spend some time developing his white ball skills in the lead up to the ICC World T20 in March. 

"It is likely that Adil will travel to Australia to play for a Big Bash franchise."

Along with Rashid, the Strikers have also signed Tasmanian allrounder Hamish Kingston to bolster their bowling stocks.