Get ready Moeen for onslaught

MOEEN ALI will be targeted by a bunch of “aggressive, attacking” Aussies out to damage his confidence and composure on his big return to the England firing line.

Former England star Monty Panesar is fully behind the decision by captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon Mccullum to lure Ali out of Test retirement because he is a tried and trusted spin replacement for injured Jack Leach.

However, he also warned Ali to expect ferocious treatment from David Warner, Steve Smith and Co when he comes on to bowl his first deliveries back in the Test fold at Edgbaston.

Panesar (right) said: “The Aussie batsmen always look to aggressively attack the spinner England select. They try an attempt to dominate him and put him under pressure straight away.

“They know if they can knock the spinner out of the attack England will need to give extra spells to the likes of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad, who would bowl longer with third or even fourth spells, putting more mileage in their legs as the Ashes goes on.

“It would have been the case whether Jack Leach was playing or not.

“The spinner has to relish the challenge and not shy away from that Australian aggression.

“Losing Leach was good news for Australia because he would have been a huge threat.

“But Moeen is a good option and a slightly safer one than perhaps some of the others.

“Getting him to put his whites back on is not surprising… they know what they are going to get from him.

“Moeen and Ben Stokes spent a lot of time together during the IPL, which they won with Chennai.

“It would certainly bring some more winning momentum into the start of The Ashes.

“Having Moeen around will help implement their different strategies and thought processes.

“Another reason they have asked Moeen is there are not enough front line spinners in England at the moment that have international quality.”

Despite England losing Leach and matchwinner Jofra Archer, Panesar added: “I am optimistic that England will regain the Ashes.

“We want to see Ben Stokes captain in an Ashes series the way he does against other teams.”