Moeen Ali set for World Cup return telling teammates to 'go back to basics'

25 October 2023 , 10:19

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Moeen Ali has a message for England underperforming stars (Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Moeen Ali is hoping a successful World Cup return against Sri Lanka can release all the frustration that has been building on the sidelines as England 'go back to basics.'

And he has tipped England to find their confident swagger in Bangalore and remind the world of the attacking force they have been for the past eight years.

The England vice-captain could be one of a couple of changes to a side that got walloped by the heat and South Africa in Mumbai, and he is adamant that he will play the way that has been his and the side’s hallmark for a long time.

“It's been very frustrating, obviously, because you want to play and make some sort of difference,” said Moeen. “When you're not winning and then when you're not playing on top of that, it's hard. But you prepare well and you train well and if I get the recall, then I’ll be ready and I'm really looking forward to hopefully playing.

“We know it's a tough one now. We've got to win every game. But we know that we can do it. It's just more about getting the confidence back as a side and playing the way we know that we can play. We have tried a few things and probably tried too much in the end and it has not really worked. Go back to basics, go back to what we know best."

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Moeen Ali will return for England (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

It is not going to be easy though with a desire to do well causing anxiety and nervousness in a squad that has usually played without fear. And Moeen reckons a departure from that template has been evident both in terms of performance and selection which saw England turn away from the all rounders that had been a strong part of their success in the past.

A return of a familiar face and voice at mid-off for the bowlers, and a free-spirited batter in the middle order could help spark a return to form for the side, but Moeen knows that time has almost run out to get it right.

“Obviously we’re a bit anxious because we want to win,” he added. “I think it is really important we put in a performance that will give us more confidence going into the rest of the games. I think mainly It comes down to the individual to perform and stick his hand up, as long as it's within the team's way of playing, take the game on and not be afraid. We're still in the competition, we're still in the tournament.

“We've been playing aggressive cricket throughout since 2015 and have done it quite well. I think the lack of that way of cricket has probably cost us a little bit in this tournament. We haven't been playing that way in my opinion and I think we need to get back to it, but without slogging the ball. Just being that really aggressive side that we know we can be.”

Dean Wilson