MOEEN ANGRY AT ODI-OUS TIMING

DOUBLE World Cup winner Moeen Ali has branded the scheduling of an ODI series three days after the T20 final as “horrible”.

And head coach Matthew Mott agreed the itinerary facing the ODI squad, seven of whom played in the final, was “not ideal” after enjoying a night of celebrations with his players.

England have three ODIs against Australia between now and next Tuesday, the first of those in Adelaide on Thursday.

But it is not the first time ECB bosses have asked their players to go to the well so soon and satisfy the crazy demands of tour programming that leaves little room for pause to think.

Several of England’s 2019 World Cup-winning heroes were back within a few days, with a Test match against Ireland squeezed in ahead of the Ashes that followed.

It came as little surprise when they were bowled out for 85 at Lord’s in the first innings before going on to win.

“Those kinds of things are a shame,” said Moeen.

“As a group we want to enjoy and celebrate and have that time because you put so much into it.

“So yeah, I mean having a game in three days’ time, it’s horrible.

“We have to do it. While we’re here, we may as well do it.

“Better than going back and having to come back out another time.

“We don’t want to think about that at the minute, but we’re up for the challenge when it comes.”

Mott agreed, saying: “It’s not ideal. I can’t lie. I think we always saw that series as being something that we will have to be really professional about.

“We’ve got to enjoy this victory, they don’t come around very often, but come game day, we’ve got to turn up and make sure we put out a great effort. The schedule is the schedule.”

Jos Buttler’s vicecaptain also revealed just how nervous he was ahead of the second World Cup final he had played in, having missed out on being a part of the team in the 2019 success.

“I feel being 35 and at the back end of my career, I felt like this was the most nervous I’ve ever been for a game,” said Moeen.

“It felt like the biggest game I’ve ever played in because I was so desperate to win it.

“I feel like as a team we deserved it but I’ve been a lot more involved I guess with Jos and being vice-captain. I have felt like I’ve contributed in games and just generally off the field.”