Rest will increase chances of glory

MOEEN ALI’S departure got some headlines but it was always planned for him to go home after two Tests here to see his family before coming back out for the white-ball games.

People have questioned the resting of players but I see things like this: England have to win white-ball trophies while we have this unbelievable group of players at their peak. I compare this current limited-overs group to the Manchester United team of 1999-2004.

We will rightly be in the top two favourites for the Twenty20 World Cup and the players need to be fresh for that. Equally, you want similar for the squad sent to contest the Ashes.

For some there is a mental tiredness that comes from being alone in a hotel room for weeks and you don’t want that to have a significant impact on the eve of a World Cup semi-final or a Test with the Ashes on the line.

For recent Ashes tours, some players have arrived fatigued.

Why not do things slightly differently this time? Not send them to Australia knackered but in a state of wanting a bit more.