'He Can Produce Match-Winning Performances..,' Ben Stokes Backs Moeen Ali for Ashes 2023
Moeen Ali replaces Jack Leach in England Ashes 2023 squad | Source: Twitter
The oldest rivalry in Test cricket, the Ashes 2023 is set to get underway at Edgbaston in Birmingham as England hosts Australia in the five-match Test series from Friday, June 16.
Ever since captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum took the reins of England's Test team, the squad has been on an unstoppable winning streak.
Their astute leadership and tactical brilliance have propelled the team to new heights. In another bold move, Stokes convinced Moeen Ali to end his Test retirement and join the Ashes 2023 campaign.
The experienced spinner accepted the offer without hesitation and is all set to take the field against Australia in the first Test at Edgbaston. Meanwhile, captain Stokes opened up on his decision to bring back Moeen in the red-ball cricket.
Here’s what Stokes said ahead of the series opener:
“He (Moeen Ali) is a player who can produce unbelievable match-winning performances, albeit a long time ago (in tests), and it was something I couldn’t look past.”
For the unversed, Moeen Ali entered the Test side as a replacement for the injured Jack Leach, who was ruled out of the highly-anticipated series due to a lower back stress fracture.
“That was a stomach and a heart feeling rather than my brain. I've generally stuck with my gut and my heart throughout my whole captaincy so far. Moeen Ali is going to come in here and I’m looking at what he can offer to this team on his best days and not worrying about anything else."
Meanwhile, the star English all-rounder also shared an update on his left knee, which has been bothering him for several months and has led to his absence from more than half of the IPL season with the Chennai Super Kings.
There have been speculations regarding whether Stokes will bowl in the series opener, but the captain himself has now hinted that he might take up the ball in the upcoming series. Here's what he said:
"I have bowled every day so far and been able to run in with more intensity, day by day. I have got myself in a real good place to be able to bowl.”
"But (bowling coach) David Saker has obviously come in and he mentioned something to me last week when we were in Scotland. He said if you are still bowling by the fourth and fifth test, we have done something right. I think I’ll give 100 percent of what I’ve got all the time.”
England have picked up a batting-heavy unit for the opening Test, with James Anderson leading their pace attack alongside the likes of Ollie Robinson and Stuart Broad. If allowed to bowl, Ben Stokes will join them as the fourth pacer for the Three Lions against their arch-rivals.
 "Shivani Shukla")
