Through the ups and downs of England's white-ball cricket in the last decade or so, one of the constants has been Adil Rashid.

The leg-spinner was recalled after the 2015 World Cup debacle, a tournament at which the side were dumped out in round one, and played a major part in the rebuild that culminated in the unforgettable victory over New Zealand in the 2019 final at Lord's.

Rashid was there, too, for the high of the 2022 T20 World Cup title in Australia and the nadirs of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India and 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, when England failed to make it out of their group after some pitiful performances.

Only James Anderson (269) has more one-day international wickets for England than Rashid (244) and on many occasions we have heard from inside and outside the camp that the Yorkshireman is the team's most-important player. But is that still the case?

Anderson's future has been a hot topic following his surprise release from Lancashire and so has Rashid's with England after he was left out of their final three games of the ODI tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the subcontinent last month.

The reason for the 38-year-old's omission given publicly by head coach Brendon McCullum was tactical - the New Zealander saying Liam Dawson's left-arm darts were more beneficial in Pakistani conditions than Rashid's leg-breaks.

The stats bear that out with the most prolific spinners in the tri-series - Pakistan's Arafat Minhas (nine wickets at 23.22), Dawson (seven wickets at 21.42), Sri Lanka's Dunith Wellalage (four wickets at 48.25) - all southpaws.

Is Rashid suffering from a lack of cricket?

Still, England leaving out Rashid a few years ago, even a few months ago, would have been anathema whatever the conditions. That call, coupled with his central contract ending before the next 50-over World Cup in late 2027, raised questions and eyebrows.

For perhaps the first time since his return to the white-ball set-up 11 years ago, Rashid's spot is not a given. He has been great for England but not so great of late in one-day internationals.

He has nine wickets in seven games in that format in 2026, at an average of 36.22 and strike-rate of 37.50, after a 2025 when he averaged two wickets a game (30 in 15 fixtures at an average of 23.63 and strike-rate of 24.10).

In his sole game in the recent ODI tri-series, against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, he recorded figures of 1-55 from eight overs at an economy rate of 6.87.

Sky Sports' Michael Atherton said of Rashid, who will be hoping to return to the XI for the three-match ODI series in Australia from next Friday, starting in Perth: "He plays so little outside of international cricket so you don't get a sense of where his game is at outside of those matches to see if there is a drop off.

"I think it will be absolutely fascinating in Australia. That is where you think a wrist spinner would come into his own so one assumes he will play. They will be important ODIs for him."

Whether Rashid's lack of matches, and maybe the hand injury he picked up towards the end of the English summer, hindered him in the subcontinent, you could not help but feel Harry Brook's side missed him in the tri-series, however well Dawson may have bowled.

The middle-overs magic Rashid is able to deliver at his best was sorely missed as Sri Lanka chased down a monster 430 at Rawalpindi and Pakistan then recovered from 154-9 to successfully pursue 242 in Lahore three days later.

Can Dawson and Rashid fit in same XI?

So a big question now for England is whether they pick Dawson, Rashid or both. If the spinners are in the same XI, there will be knock-on effects elsewhere. It is a tricky juggling act.

If Rashid came in for seam-bowling all-rounder Sam Curran, then Dawson would probably have to move up to No 7. Dawson is a good batter but that feels a spot high. The same could be said if Jamie Overton were to bat at No 7, above Dawson.

If Rashid were to replace one of the main fast bowlers, then Curran would have to serve as third seamer and on the evidence of the tri-series - four wickets at 54.75, an economy of 7.50, and periods where he looked rather anodyne - that would be a risk.

There is no easy fix balancing a side when you do not have Ben Stokes' all-round abilities at your disposal, a problem England's Test team are now discovering.

With Will Jacks, Joe Root and potentially the returning Jacob Bethell offering slow-bowling options, it may ultimately be that only one of Dawson and Rashid can play.

The identity of that one is not as clear as it once was.

Schedule for England's tour of Australia

ODIs 3.30am UK time, with T20s 8.15am UK time

• First ODI: Friday, November 13 (Perth)
• Second ODI: Sunday November 15 (Adelaide)
• Third ODI: Wednesday November 18 (Hobart)
• First T20I: Saturday November 21 (Melbourne)
• Second T20I: Tuesday November 24 (Carrara)
• Third T20I: Friday November 27 (Brisbane)
• Fourth T20I: Sunday November 29 (Sydney)
• Fifth T20I: