Vaughan calls on England to axe Moeen
MICHAEL Vaughan believes Moeen Ali should be dropped following lacklustre displays with ball and bat as the inquest into their Ashes misery got under way.
England will now seek to avoid a third series whitewash in Australia in their past four trips and 2005 Asheswinning captain Vaughan has called on the tourists to leave Moeen out of their plans for the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.
The Worcestershire all-rounder has taken just three wickets, although he has been hampered by a finger injury, and has also flattered to deceive with the bat, with 116 runs at an average of 19.33.
He is below Australia’s No.9, Pat Cummins, in the run-charts, while he has been dismissed in five of his six innings by opposite number Nathan Lyon, who has been one of Australia’s pivotal performers so far.
Vaughan said: “You’ve got to make the change. If Moeen Ali’s going to be the batsman that just bowls a little bit then he’s got to bat a bit better than we’ve seen already. For me, Moeen Ali can’t play in Melbourne.”
Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott bemoaned the gulf in class between Moeen and Lyon.
He said: “It’s not a contest. My mum could play Moeen. We play a batsman who can bowl a bit. He’s done quite well for us, Moeen Ali, but he’s not a quality spinner. He’s nothing like a quality spinner.”