SORRY MO HAS TO GO
England axe for Ali
® from RODNEY WHITE in Christchurch
MOEEN ALI is set to be the big casualty as Joe Root’s men bid to avoid becoming England’s worst-ever Test side away from home.
The current winless run overseas of 12 matches is the longest for England since the Second World War. And failure to register a series-levelling victory in the final Test against New Zealand, starting tonight in Christchurch, will see this group of players claim an unwanted slice of history. The innings defeat in Auckland was a new low during a woeful winter that had already seen England routed 4-0 in the Ashes. Out-of-form all-rounder Ali is set to be replaced by Liam Livingstone, who will make a Test debut, and England captain Root said: “It has been a struggle for Mo. “But he’s a very talented lad. He’s got the game to turn things around, but it’s making sure he keeps believing in all the good stuff he’s done in the past and trusts his game.
Difficult
“You go into anyone’s home conditions these days and it’s becoming more and more difficult to win. “What was really disappointing with that surface last week was that it wasn’t dissimilar to playing in England. “As a batting group that wasn’t good enough. We have plenty of experience in those conditions. “The guys are working hard and we are asking ourselves questions about whether we need to do things differently.” Mark Wood is also likely to play his first Test of the winter at the expense of Craig Overton, but it appears England will play safe with Ben Stokes’ back injury and he will play as a specialist batsman. New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi comes in for Todd Astle, who has a side strain.