THE success and profile of Adil Rashid can inspire future Asian cricketers.

That's the view of an England cricket legend.

David Gower, batsman-turned-broadcaster, has enjoyed a extraordinary career at the crease. A total of 117 Test matches, 114 One-Day internationals, scoring 8,231 and 3,170 runs on both disciplines respectively, captain of his 15-year Test career.

But Gower says the present and future of the English game will benefit from Rashid's exploits.

The former left-hander says Rashid, who starred in July's epic World Cup Final victory over New Zealand at Lord's, can be a role model for young Asian cricketers to look up to an emulate.

Gower said: "Rashid has become a vital cog for that discipline. A lot of credit for his development has to go to Eoin Morgan (England's one-day captain).

"Adil has benefitted from backing and confidence.

"The quest to involve the Asian community more broadly is an important one. There are many very, very talented Asian cricketers. Yorkshire are aware there is a lot of talent out there. To have Adil is great.

"There needs to be more. It's a question of having the confidence to live the dream, as it were.

"I talked to Lord Patel, a good Bradfordian, and there is good work going on."

Gower also has huge respect for another Bradford-born ace, Jonny Bairstow, who has become a key part of the England set-up, reminiscing about his days playing alongside his dad. Yorkshire wicketkeeper David Bairstow played four Test matches for England and also had success in the one-day team.

Jonny ended the World Cup as the second-highest run scorer for England and the sixth-highest run scorer overall in the World Cup. He was named in the team of the tournament, having scored 536 runs in 11 matches, with an average of 48.36.

The former Leicestershire and Hampshire star said: "I'm a huge (Jonny) Bairstow fan. He is a very determined and talented cricketer. I knew and toured with his dad.

"Jonny is a very positive man, very bullish. He has a long future ahead of him. I'd like more runs from him."

Gower, 62, will reflect on his action-packed career in Cleckheaton on Friday, November 1, as part of his 'On The Front Foot' tour.

He added: "It's a tried and tested show, that I also did in the springtime.

"I look back on the good, bad and the ugly. It involved 15 years as a Test player and 25 years broadcasting. We will have a great time."

The subject of looking back brings Gower to one of his most special memories as an England player, which involves God's Own County.

He added: "Yorkshire is a county steeped in cricket history and the love of the game. Me being part of the 1981 Headingley Ashes Test match is a classic example.

"It always feels like a county that could do well.

"I don't have an intimate knowledge of the Bradford League, but there is so much cricket played in Yorkshire.

"Yorkshire is one of the bedrocks of our cricketing system. A strong Yorkshire is a strong England."

The man who was captain of two series during his own playing days in the 1980s, also reflected on an exciting Ashes summer.

He said: "As we speak, we still have a chance to draw the series, which would be good.

"I know the Ashes will not return for at least a couple of years. Australia have outbowled us. Steve Smith has been absolutely brilliant, scoring 1,028 runs. Broad has been outstanding, Archer intermittently good."

David Gower will be at Town Hall, Cleckheaton, on November 1 with his show, On The Front Foot. Tickets from david-gower.com.