Bears chief: Ashes’ lure too strong for Mo to turn down
WARWICKSHIRE’S performance director Gavin Larsen has congratulated Moeen Ali on his unexpected recall to the England Test side after the Bears’ Vitality Blast captain agreed to come out of international retirement for this summer’s Ashes.
Ali, who called time on his 64-Test red-ball career two years ago, was offered the chance to return to the international fold after spinner Jack Leach was diagnosed with a stress fracture to his back.
And the 35-year-old, who signed a three-year deal with the Bears last year, has informed the club and the ECB of his decision.
Ali is available for tomorrow night’s home clash with Northants Steelbacks but will team up with the England camp at the weekend and is expected to miss the remainder of the Blast season.
Larsen, who played 129 times for New Zealand, understands the lure of England is a hard one to turn down but said he accepts some Bears’ fans will be disappointed at the move.
“It’s the Ashes, the biggest stage in world cricket, and with that first Test on home soil here at Edgbaston.
It’s the Ashes and with that first Test on home soil here at Edgbaston. That would be hard for anyone to say no to.
Gavin Larsen
That’s a heady mix and one that would be hard for anyone to say no to,’’ he said.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for Mo and, as a club, we wish him well. I know fans were looking forward to having a player of Mo’s quality and stature leading our T20 push for the whole season – but I hope, like me, they can appreciate why Mo has made this decision.”
Ali reversed his decision following discussions with England captain Ben Stokes, head coach Brendon Mccullum and managing director of England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key.
He has scored 2,914 Test runs and has 195 wickets. He will celebrate his 36th birthday during the first Test, on June 18.
“We reached out to Mo early this week about returning to Test cricket,’’ said Key. “Having had a couple of days to reflect, Mo is excited to join the squad and play Test cricket again. His vast experience, along with his all-round ability, will benefit our Ashes campaign.”
Mccullum previously tried to
tempt Ali back into the fray for the historic tour of Pakistan but, after initially declaring himself open to the idea, he ultimately decided to stick to limitedovers cricket.
However, he has now been persuaded to take the field again, warming to the idea of turning out for Stokes and Mccullum. They have overhauled the way England play the game, prioritising an attacking, proactive
style that fits Ali’s own approach like a glove.
Australia have proved thorny opponents for him in the past, with his career bowling average climbing from 36.66 to 64.65 in Ashes cricket, but he is ready to embrace unfinished business against England’s biggest rivals. He will need to get back to grips with the red Dukes ball after dedicating himself to the white-ball formats since September 2021, and will work alongside spin coach Jeetan Patel in the run-up to the series opener in Birmingham next week.