Moeen Ali confirms England batting order for must-win Ashes test at Old Trafford
Moeen Ali could join another elite group of Test cricketers this week, after being promoted to England’s Ashes No.3.
Moeen only needs 23 more runs to complete the 3,000 run and 200 wicket double, and while he will have plenty of time to get there in his new batting spot, it won’t be easy if it is against a new ball and fresh Aussie bowlers. He would become just the fourth Englishman to get there after Lord Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff and Stuart Broad.
One thing’s for sure though, he will get there his own way, playing the same free-spirited cricket he has always played, only this time he has the full backing of the coach and captain.
“I think Baz wants me to play a few more shots,” he said, reflecting on his move to the spot in the second innings at Headingley. “I was probably better off playing a few more shots.
“I know you want your best players up the order and three is a big number in Test cricket. But actually for this side at the moment it is a good thing, because with Popey (Ollie Pope) out of the side everybody else stays where they are, and Brooky (Harry Brook) can have a huge impact at five.
Ballance set to make Test return for Zimbabwe after Yorkshire racism scandal
“To get the double would mean a lot to me, but my dad is the one who is buzzing for it so hopefully I can get there. I know it’s only 20-odd runs but it feels like miles off! I hope it happens and I know it would make my family proud and when I look back on my career 200 wickets is one thing I can be proud about.”
It is some turnaround for Moeen, who hadn’t expected to be playing any Test cricket this summer, but has since been on a wild roller-coaster utterly in keeping with the highs and lows of his incredible career. First came the retirement U-turn, then he missed training at Edgbaston to collect his OBE, he played and ripped the skin on his spinning finger and was fined for using a drying agent spray.
Moeen Ali will continue at No3 in the fourth Test at Old Trafford (PA)Then he missed out at Lord’s, but returned to play a key role at Edgbaston with a couple of big wickets before moving up to No.3, and the big question this week is whether he can genuinely thrive as a top order batter again. He has batted in every position from one to nine, and he has been putting in the work to get ready, including extra net sessions at home in Birmingham.
“I've done it before for England and I'm looking forward to it,” he added. "I'm hitting balls, training quite a bit, trying to get myself ready for a tough challenge, facing new balls. It's not easy because the Aussies are very good but it's one of those things, don't overthink it.
“I have made Test hundreds before and it's not like I can’t do it. It's just when you've been out of Test cricket a while. But I didn’t come back for anything personal. I had the opportunity and I thought ‘let me get a taste of this new era in Test cricket’. I came back to try to win the Ashes.”
England need to win in Manchester to keep their hopes alive of an astonishing turnaround and it would be sweet for Moeen in more ways than one.
“I got home after the first Test and a few days later I got a letter from a lady who said her husband is a big fan of mine,” said Moeen. “They saw the gash on my finger and thought Medihoney would really help me. So I tried it and it really healed my finger straight away.
“It’s amazing that someone wrote to me about this, but I misplaced the letter and I can’t remember who it is. I want to thank her!” And the veteran spinner is confident England’s ageing bowling attack can shine at Old Trafford.
James Anderson returns to the side at his home ground (Getty Images)Led by the seemingly ageless James Anderson, who actually turns 41 at the back end of the game, England will play three other seam bowlers over the age of 33 for the first time in their Test history. The Aussies did it back in 1928/29, and the Kiwis did it most recently in 1986, and now with Broad, Chris Woakes, and Mark Wood, England are sending their own dad’s army into battle.
“I was always told that old was gold,” said 36-year-old spinner Moeen. “Somebody said it was the oldest attack since 1928 which is – I think it’s a great thing to be part of. As somebody who’s quite old I don’t think it’s a bad thing.
Tom Curran takes break from red-ball cricket 'for body and mental health'
“And it’s not just old, it’s Jimmy, it’s Broady, Woaksy, Woody, so they’re really good bowlers, good guys and hopefully they can get some wickets. You know what you’re going to get a lot of the time, especially from those four seamers – myself you never know what you’re going to get, but with them guys definitely you know how good they are. They are brilliant bowlers and it’s great to have Jimmy back.”
Ben Stokes' side need to win to stay in the series (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Moeen is not wrong. Each member of this fab four have had their moments in the spotlight and have the wickets to prove it. In fact when you add in the wicket-taking contributions of Ben Stokes and Joe Root, no team has ever had more Test wickets in its starting eleven than this England side’s in 1974.
Much of which is down to the return of Anderson in place of Ollie Robinson on the ground bearing an end in his name. “He’s the best bowler we have and have had over the years,” added Moeen. “Obviously, him and Broady have been outstanding but Jimmy’s Jimmy.
“I think anybody that plays at their home ground for England, it’s amazing, but especially for him having his own end here. He’s been a bit unfortunate with catches and things not going his way. But there’s no doubt England are a better team with James Anderson in it.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
