The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Moeen’s reason to believe
Ashes countdown: England can bag first Gabba win since 1986
wood in a series which he hopes will again end some careers for the tourists.
Cook has experienced Moeen Ali believes England can end Australia’s long unbeaten run at the Gabba by defeating their hosts there for the first time in three decades.
Seven Ashes tours have come and gone since England’s last Test win in Brisbane, Mike Gatting’s team prevailing by seven wickets after a century from man-of-thematch Ian Botham.
That was in November 1986 and Australia have been unbeaten against any Test side at the venue since West Indies emerged victorious in 1988.
Moeen, however, claims Joe Root’s men are capable of breaking the mould.
“I think there’s genuine confidence we can win here,” said the allrounder. It’s going to be tough for us. (But) records are there to be broken, and we hope we can do that.”
England salvaged a moraleboosting draw in the first Test in Brisbane seven years ago, the dramatic extremes in Australia, losing 5-0 to Johnson et al four years ago and by the same margin in 2006-07 but springboard for a famous series victory under Andrew Strauss.
But they were overwhelmed on their last visit, largely by Mitchell Johnson – an occasion which Moeen witnessed at first hand, as a spectator on a day off from his tour duties with England Lions.
“Last time we didn’t play so well, and there was one guy who was outstanding with the ball,” he said. “It was amazing to see.”
If England are to shock their hosts in Brisbane in the first Test, which starts in Brisbane tomorrow, they will have to do so without Ben Stokes, still at home waiting to hear if he will be charged after a late-night fracas in Bristol eight weeks ago.
Stokes is fit again, after breaking his hand, and has been demonstrating his well-being with a series of social-media posts of his training in the Durham nets.
Moeen, who has sent a longdistance “sledge” back to his team-mate, admits England are not expecting him to join them any time soon, and insists, too, the Stokes saga will not put them off their game against Australia.
He said: “I saw him bowling. I told him that’s getting hit for 6 any day!” helping to engineer a memorable 3-1 win in between. Recalling his chance meeting with Lyon before speaking to the press himself, the England opener said: “It’s really strange. Nathan was the first person I saw when I got to the ground . . . asking how my kids were, how his kids were. It’s funny. It makes me chuckle.”
“Records are there to be broken, and we hope we can do that”
David Warner believes Ben Stokes has let a lot of people down and will need to earn back the respect of his team-mates if he does eventually make it on to their Ashes tour.
Combative Australia opener Warner, who also dismissed any concerns a minor neck injury will keep him out of this week’s first Test, has had his say on the absence of England’s key allrounder.
Stokes remains at home waiting to hear if he will be charged after being arrested following a late-night fracas in Bristol eight weeks ago. He is suspended from international selection and will face an England and Wales Cricket Board disciplinary hearing once Avon and Somerset Police have concluded their business.
Warner said: “It’s disappointing for the England team and the country. He’s let a lot of people down. I’d love for him to be out here, because I know what a competitor he is, and a world-class player.”
Asked if he thinks that should happen, Warner added: “It’s obviously up to the English police first.
“But he knows he’s made a mistake and it’s about him getting that respect back from his fellow players and countrymen. If he does come out here, we wish him well.”