Jack Leach is struggling, but Moeen Ali’s return will make England STRONGER in the Ashes, Graeme Swann insists…as the all-rounder will extend the batting and test the Australian left-handers with his off-spin
- Graeme Swann says England did the right thing by recalling Moeen Ali
- Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum asked Moeen to retire
- The 35-year-old all-rounder has not played a red ball in two years
He was known for his positivity as he became one of England’s top spinners and Graeme Swann led the way again on Wednesday as he delivered his verdict on their latest big call.
“I think it makes us stronger,” Swann said of Moeen Ali’s sudden rise from Test retirement to front-line Ashes spinner. “It’s hard for Jack Leach, because he did well, but this move extends the bat and now we have an off-spinner bowling against all those Australian left-handers. I’m glad to see him again. Mo is still a brilliant talent.’
It’s a back injury to Leach, ever-present in England’s test transformation under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, that has suddenly and unexpectedly opened the door for an off-spinning all-rounder who, aged 35, had previously told the coach ‘sorry , I’m ready.’
But Swann, back at Lord’s, has no doubt England did the right thing in turning to a man who hasn’t played a redball game in two years after putting all his effort into white-ball cricket with his country and in the franchise. world.
“Just having Baz and Stokesey in charge makes it easy for Mo to come back,” said the three-time Ashes winner. “They’ve said, ‘you come in and all your positives are what we’re looking for.’
Moeen Ali has joined the England Ashes team after answering their SOS call this week
Ben Stokes (right) and Brendon McCullum (left) asked all-rounder to retire
Graeme Swann has no doubt that England did well to turn to Moeen
Swann was at Lord’s at the launch of the ‘Net Gains’ campaign, backed by IG, aimed at building cricket nets for community use in the five cities where Ashes Tests take place
“There will be no hang-up from something that happened before or the possibility of not performing or anything. I’m sure Mo will just get a license to run up front and bowl, spin it as hard as he can and hit as he can.’
But what about that long absence from the red ball game? Can Moeen, whose return to the squad for the first two Ashes Tests was confirmed yesterday, simply come back and pick up where he left off by taking 195 Test wickets and scoring 2,914 runs?
“England won’t worry about that,” Swann said at the launch of the “Net Gains” campaign, backed by trade and investment provider IG, aimed at building cricket nets for community use in the five cities that make up these organizing summer Ashes Tests.
“They’re redefining red-ball cricket and I applaud that. I love it. My only concern is the difference between bowling with the red Dukes ball and the white Kookaburra. The Dukes isn’t that easy to get hold of, but if the sun’s out and it’s dry, it won’t be a problem for Mo.’
But what does the return of a man turning 36 in the first Test at Edgbaston say about the lack of English spinning talent? Swann, who was an adviser to the Lions over the winter and wants to coach more at England, is well qualified to judge.
“It’s concerning that there aren’t 10 candidates lined up banging on the door, but spinners do come in,” Swann said. ‘Someone like Jack Carson in Sussex is a great little bowler and probably wouldn’t be fazed by Test cricket as he’s quite a feisty Northern Irishman. But the Ashes can ruin a career before it even starts, so I think Mo is both the safest and most exciting option.”
Fair players loved Flowers
Former England coach Andy Flower has joined Australia’s squad on a consultancy basis
Swann had an interesting take on what will be the strange sight of three-time Ashes-winning England coach Andy Flower in an Australian tracksuit this summer as an adviser to the old foe.
“I don’t think England should have let it happen,” said Swann. “They should have said, ‘we’ll pay you what they are to come back and work with us.’ You can’t stop a man from doing it, but England shouldn’t allow Australia to have any advantage.
“Good on Andy. He has been an absolute joy as England coach and I look forward to working with him again this summer for Trent Rockets. He was so blunt and open to England and I loved that. Honest players thrive on such a coach and it was only the unfair players we had who didn’t like his approach.’
Who can he mean?