Adil Rashid interview: Yorkshire's World Cup winner on his part in talent pathway, defending the title in India and future of The Hundred

Three bowling lanes, nets, a viewing balcony, and faces from a kaleidoscope of communities all playing and enjoying the game of cricket.

For the man himself, it is a source of great pride. Because for Adil Rashid, giving back to the sport that has given him so much, and to the community that raised him, has always been important.

He set up a cricket academy in his name 10 years ago when he was still 25, when most twentysomething professional sportsmen were spending their money on cars and material possessions.

Last November they finally found this facility on Bede’s Close in Thornton, in the east of Bradford, to give the academy a home.

“It was something I had in the pipeline for a little while,” begins Rashid, now 35, and a two-time World Cup winner with England.

“We just didn’t have the time, but I had a bit of time this last winter when me and my brother (Amar) and the family decided let’s get a cricket centre which was needed around Bradford, because there aren’t many around.

“It took a bit of planning, but it’s something we wanted to have, not just purely because the next generation of cricketers can come through, but for people from all walks of life can actually use the centre and aspire to become professional cricketers.

“It’s not just a centre for people to come and have a hit, we’re here to help develop them. It’s developing people’s skills in cricket and life as well.

“The Cricket Academy was set up 10 years ago and we’ve seen a lot of players come through that, but this felt as though it was the right time to get a centre of our own and link up and give everybody a base, this is where they can develop and become international cricketers.”

It is not that long ago that Rashid himself was a promising young cricketer, discovered from an early age by the Yorkshire pathway and set on a course to county honours, Test-match cricket and white-ball glory. Helping players from a similar background was at the root of his decision to set up his academy a decade ago.

“In terms of where I’m from, Bradford, cricket’s massive here, and I know what it takes to make it all the way from a young age, so I wanted to make it a lot more easily accessible for youngsters through my academy,” he says of his inspiration.

“People can come and develop their cricket but also have that pathway. And get people off the streets and into cricket.

“It’s not just for people who enjoy cricket, but as much for those who don’t by getting them into cricket.”

Back then, as it is now, the doors of the academy are open to people of all backgrounds, boys and girls, South Asian, white or whatever.

“100 per cent,” says Rashid of a membership that numbers 120 under-18s. “Everyone is welcome; we’ve got boys, girls, from different colours, different religions, everybody is welcome. We have it open every day.”

Such a statement has taken on greater resonance in the past two years after the allegations by his former Yorkshire team-mate Azeem Rafiq of ‘institutional racism’ at the county. Rashid was cross-examined at the Cricket Discipline Commission hearings in March.

As everyone looks to move forward Rashid and his brother Amar - who oversees the day-to-day running of the academy - want to work with the county to continue unearthing players of all backgrounds.

Jafer Chohan is one such product, a young player helped on his way by the brothers and the South Asian Cricket Academy which helped seven cricketers earn contracts in its first 12 months of existence. Chohan signed professional terms with Yorkshire this summer. “Over the past six months we’ve had pathways from Yorkshire come through here to use the nets and this winter coming up we’ve got some links with Yorkshire pathways and age groups,” said Rashid. “Under-13s, 14s, 15s. That our ambition, having this centre open for all and a link with Yorkshire as well.”

Away from the pitch this year, Rashid was awarded an MBE for his services to cricket. “It’s a big honour being recognised for your achievements in cricket,” he tells The Yorkshire Post, “but also achievements in your local community, it’s a proud moment for myself and my family.”

On the pitch, there is plenty of life left in one of the finest spin bowlers this country has produced.

Right now he is heavily involved in The Hundred, trying to get Northern Superchargers to finals weekend for the first time.

“Things can change very quickly, we’re not looking too far ahead we’re just thinking about the next game,” he says, ahead of an appointment with Manchester Originals on Sunday.