The ongoing Ashes series’ first Test at Edgbaston lived up to all the hype. The match between England and Australia will be remembered as a classic thriller.
The hosts declared on the first day after scoring 393/8 while batting first. England led by 7 runs after the first inning and added 273 in the second. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon’s 55-run partnership helped Australia chase down a total of 281 runs.
The first game’s success serves as a good indication of how the rest of the series will pan out. At Lords, the site of the second Test, Australia will look to continue its winning streak while England will try to commit fewer errors.
The question of whether or not Moeen Ali should be kept in the starting XI for the hosts has generated a lot of debate. Here, we examine three justifications for why England should bench him for the upcoming match:.
1 Unprepared and Injured
Due to Jack Lead’s unfortunate injury, England’s top red-ball spinner, Moeen Ali made his two-year comeback to the Test setup. Stokes and Co. Persuaded him to come out of retirement.
However, his first Test performance did not support his selection. He bowled 33 overs in the first innings but only managed to take two wickets.
Even though it could be argued that it was because he was playing red-ball cricket again, the fact remains that he appeared unprepared for a crucial Ashes match.
Moeen Ali’s bowling didn’t have the rhythm that we are accustomed to seeing from the experienced campaigner.
2 Not 100 percent Fitness To Play
At Edgbaston, Moeen Ali’s performance was hampered by a problem with one of his bowling arm’s fingers. Because he only bowled 14 overs, he was unable to significantly contribute in the second innings.
Due to Moeen’s injury, captain Stokes had to rely on Joe Root. The lengthy break between the first two games might hasten his recovery, but the injury might flare up again at Lord’s.
In a high-profile series like The Ashes, it would be a gamble to play Moeen Ali at this point of time. Hence, England should resist the temptation to pick him for the Lord’s Test.
3 Rehan Ahmed’s Inclusion
A couple of days back, England added 18-year-old Rehan Ahmed to their squad for the Lord’s Test. England should play him instead of taking a risk with Moeen Ali.
Rehan, touted to be the next big thing in English Cricket, has played just one Test match so far, against Pakistan in December 2022. It was a great debut for him as he picked up seven wickets in the game, including a magnificent five-for.
Ahmed’s performance helped his side win the Test match in a convincing manner. Moreover, the youngster has displayed his batting prowess, scoring 629 runs at an avaerage of 33.10, including a century in first-class cricket.
Moreover, he leaked runs at an economy of 4.5 per over. In the second innings, he picked up a solitary wicket and again conceded runs at more than 4 an over.
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