WE’LL BOWL ‘EM OVER
Ali warns depleted Pom attack can still turn Aussies to Ashes
ENGLAND all- rounder Moeen Ali insists the tourists’ decimated attack is up to the task of retaining the urn as he prepares for his first Ashes challenge on Australian soil.
After missing tour games in Perth and Adelaide with a side strain, Ali has been cleared to play in the four- day clash with a Cricket Australia XI at Riverway Stadium.
England’s Ashes preparations have been rocked by injury and the likelihood Ben Stokes will not play any part in the series.
ENGLAND all- rounder Moeen Ali insists the tourists’ decimated bowling attack is up to the task of retaining the urn as he prepares for his first Ashes challenge on Australian soil.
After missing tour games in Perth and Adelaide with a side strain, the off- spinner has been cleared to play in the four- day clash with a Cricket Australia XI at Townsville’s Riverway Stadium, starting tomorrow.
The 30- year- old’s return is a welcome change of luck for England, whose preparations have already been rocked by the loss of Steven Finn to injury, with Jake Ball ( rolled ankle) racing the clock to be available for selection for next week’s first Test in Brisbane.
Ali’s all- round prowess is vital for England given Ben Stokes seems unlikely to take any part in the Ashes as he awaits the outcome of a police investigation into a street fight.
The loss of Finn and Stokes puts even more pressure on pace spearheads James Anderson and Stuart Broad to shoulder the load, but Ali has backed the likes of George Garton to seize their chance.
“With new guys you never know what you get with them. Sometimes they can surprise you which is a good thing and there’s not a lot of expectation on them really,” Ali said.
“But we’ve still got Jimmy and Broady and Woakesy ( Chris Woakes) has bowled fantastically well. It depends on the individual ( how they handle the pressure of playing in Australia), in the end it’s just a game of cricket.”
Much of Australia’s lead- up has centred around the race for the No. 6 spot, with no contender able to make the position their own with runs in Sheffield Shield cricket.
Like the hosts, England have been hampered by batting collapses and Ali admitted the team which addressed the issue best would go a long way to claiming the Ashes.
“Both teams have had the same problems,” Ali said.
“It’s going to be exciting and it all depends on who handles the pressure and which big players really turn up, and hopefully it will be us.
“We know we’ve got two world- class batters in Alastair Cook and Joe Root, and Australia has the same ( with Steve Smith and David Warner).
“Whoever holds their nerve and really wants it as a batting unit will probably win.
“It’s a reality check for us to get back into our game and be ruthless if we get in, and the guys don’t give it away.”
Ali has no doubt his body will negotiate the five Test series, branding his delayed tour start a “blessing in disguise”.
“It’s a bit frustrating obviously not playing, but also not a bad thing,” he said.
“You get a lot more work done than everybody else behind the scenes and I feel like I’m ready to play.”
WITH NEW GUYS YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU GET … SOMETIMES THEY CAN SURPRISE YOU MOEEN ALI