Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid has paid tribute to spin guru Terry Jenner, the Australian coach who died recently following a sustained period of ill health.

Known as the Spin Doctor, Jenner died at the age of 66 having worked with the likes of Anil Kumble and most famously Shane Warne, who he mentored throughout his illustrious career.

He also coached former Yorkshire leggie Mark Lawson and Rashid as part of the ECB’s Wrist-Spin Development Programme, which was funded by the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust.

Rashid, who is expected to open the bowling in tonight’s Friends Life t20 crunch clash against Lancashire at Headingley, said: “I did quite a lot of work with Terry, and he’s been a big, big help to me.

“I was 12 or 13 when I first met him in England, and since then I’ve been to Australia twice to see him specifically. I stayed with him at his house for two weeks when I was 14 or 15 to work with him specifically on my action.

“I’ve tried to keep in contact with him as much as possible over the years because he has been a massive help for me in order to try and do the basics right.

“It was a very sad day when I heard about his death.”

Quoted in early 2009 prior to Rashid going on tour of the Caribbean with England, Jenner urged patience with the now 23-year-old.

“Shane Warne was 22 when he made his Test debut, and I felt that was young,” said Jenner.

“Rashid is very raw in all forms of life, and leg-spinners mature in their mid-20s. A genius like Warne comes along every 30 years, and he was playing third XI club cricket at 18.

“Rashid has progressed quicker. People are less patient nowadays though, and spinners are expected to be accurate first and spin it second. But I can see a terrific Test future for Adil provided everyone remains patient.”

Rashid added: “He was the top spin bowling coach around. He’s the one who brought Shane Warne up to be what he was. Whether it be spinning the ball, flight, your action, he knew about it all.”

Rashid has struggled for consistency this season, particularly in the County Championship.

The England hopeful may have taken 28 wickets, leaving him as one of the top six wicket-takers in division one, but 11 of those came in the opening week win over Worcestershire at New Road.

Length has been a particular problem for the player, who will have one eye on the announcement of England’s one-day squad early next week.

Rashid, however, has again excelled in Twenty20 cricket, as he did last summer for Yorkshire and during the winter for South Australia, one of Jenner’s former state sides.

He has taken nine wickets from four matches, including two of those against the Red Rose county at Old Trafford last Friday.

Immediately after tonight’s match, Yorkshire head up to Durham ahead of tomorrow’s return to Championship action at the Riverside.

Ajmal Shahzad is in line to make his return from an ankle injury tonight after two weeks out. He is in a 14-man squad.