‘Ye naya afridi hai’ – Fans react as Moeen Ali comes out of Test retirement and replaces Jack Leach in England’s Ashes 2023 squad
Moeen Ali has played 64 Tests for England so far.
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Jun 7, 2023 2:55 pm
Moeen Ali (Source: Twitter)
England all-rounder Moeen Ali has come out of Test retirement and replaced the injured Jack Leach in England’s Ashes 2023 squad. Moeen has been added to the first two Test matches as of now. Leach has been omitted from the squad due to a lower back stress fracture, that was believed to have happened after the one-off four-day Test against Ireland. The 35-year-old had called it quits from Test cricket in 2021.
Moeen then made a U-turn on his retirement after he had talks with England Test captain Ben Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum and Rob Key the managing director of England men’s cricket. Moeen has starred for England in 64 matches in the white flannels. The all-rounder has scored 2914 runs at an average of 28.29. He has struck five centuries with the bat for the Three Lions. With the ball, Moeen has picked up 195 wickets for England in Tests.
Moeen Ali is excited to play Test cricket again- Rob Key
Moeen will turn 36 during the first test against Australia at Edgbaston. Rob Key had said that they had approached Moeen earlier in the week. After giving the matter a lot of thought, Moeen said that he is excited to come on board and join the Test side after a brief hiatus. Key opines that Moeen’s vast experience and all-round skills will be valuable for England’s Ashes campaign against Australia.
“We reached out to Mo (Moeen Ali) early this week about returning to Test cricket. Having had a couple of days to reflect, Mo is excited to join the squad and play Test cricket again,” said Rob Key, “His vast experience, along with his all-round ability, will benefit our Ashes campaign. We wish Mo and the rest of the squad well for the Ashes campaign.” Moeen has picked up five five-wicket hauls in whites and has a bowling average of 36.66.
The Ashes will be held in England. Australia will play against England in the much-anticipated rivalry. England also played the four-day Test against Ireland to get into the groove of playing Tests. Most of the English players are coming off a T20 sojourn in India after the IPL 2023.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
Man they have around 100 County teams and could not find even one spinner?? Had to get a retired onr
With due respect MOAEEN ALI is great player. But is this the big question over ENGLISH CRICKET system ? Why a spinner came out of retirement to play ? Is there no other test spinner in whole some COUNTY system ????
— Babarian for ever 56 (@jawadsahab801) June 7, 2023
Undertaker SHAHID Afridi Moeen Ali๐
— Prachetas Kottawaโน (@Prachetas_k) June 7, 2023
