With the eagerly anticipated Ashes series just around the corner, both England and Australia would be eager to maintain their best form as they prepare to face each other in the marquee series beginning on June 16. However, England will be without their premier spinner, Jack Leach, who recently fractured his lower back. The team, under Ben Stokes, called veteran all-rounder Moeen Ali out of retirement to take over for Leach.
Ali will be a part of England’s selection for the first two Ashes Tests for the time being after being called up as a late injury replacement. However, according to Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, the addition of Ali to the Test squad could present an additional challenge for Stokes. Due to his lack of red-ball cricket experience, Ali may require some time to settle in with the team during the series.
“There’s a challenge there, don’t you think? Mo has not participated in a red-ball competition for a considerable amount of time. Andrew McDonald, quoted by ESPNcricinfo, stated to the press following Australia’s victory in the WTC final, “There’s no doubt he’ll be ready; he’s had a couple weeks to prepare.”
“However, I believe that Jack Leach really complemented that attack and his wicket-taking ability, and Ben Stokes’ more aggressive use of him has reaped great rewards,” he added.
They will need to operate slightly differently. Andrew McDonald
Additionally, Andrew McDonald opined that Ali’s inclusion could result in a significant change to the England squad. He stated that England would have to operate differently despite Ali’s substantial improvement of the team’s lower order.
Therefore, it will appear distinct with Mo present. Mo has 190-plus Test wickets and strengthens their lower order, so it won’t be the same, but they’ll have to function slightly differently,” McDonald said.
On June 16, Edgbaston in Birmingham will host the first Test of the Ashes series. England would enter the contest with all guns blazing in an effort to reclaim the prestigious urn.
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