Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SPIN PEAKS
Moeen’s dominating with bat and ball ..and his next ambition is to be Ashes star turn in England bid to keep urn
MOEEN
ALI says he is ready to step into the spinners’ bear pit
Down Under and take it to the Aussies.
England’s spinning allrounder has reached a career high with bat and ball after his man-of-the-series displays against
South Africa.
And with three Tests to go against the Windies before the plane takes off for Perth, Moeen believes he is in the best possible position to launch his first assault on the Ashes away from home.
But the 30-year-old has made a plea to England supremo Andrew Strauss to make sure spin bowling coach Saqlain Mushtaq is given a full-time role so he can stay for the whole tour.
Saqlain (right) is used only as a consultant much to Moeen’s dismay, and just like Graeme
Swann before him, the offspinner wants to see the support of spin taken more seriously.
“I do watch spinners when they go out there to Australia to see how they go,” said Moeen
(right). “And it looks like it’s quite tough for spinners.
“But I feel like I’ve got some good experience and am getting better. There are three games against West Indies first but I’m looking forward to the challenge if I get on that plane.
“Even though you try not to think about it, it is a massive series and you hope to be part of it. You always want to perform on that tour.
“Hopefully, I’ll have ‘Saqqy’ next to me and he can help me out.
“I’d like him to be there. I’d love to have him for all games – T20s, one-dayers and Test matches.
“If you are going to have batting, fielding, and fast-bowling coaches, it would be nice to have a spin-bowling coach for pr etty much all the games.”