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'I Wouldn't Have...': Michael Atherton Disagrees With Moeen Ali's Inclusion in First Ashes Test

image-liwqinwiMoeen Ali has been named in England's playing XI for the Edgbaston Test. (AP Photo)

Former England captain Michael Atherton expressed astonishment at the inclusion of spin all-rounder Moeen Ali in the playing XI for the first Ashes Test against Australia.

Atherton, in an interview with Sky Sports, stated that he personally wouldn't have chosen Moeen for the match. He highlighted Moeen's absence from Test cricket since 2021 and his decision to distance himself from both Test and first-class cricket.

"I wouldn't have picked Moeen Ali. But I'm not Ben Stokes. I'm not Bazball. It's a selection that is amazing when you think about it because Moeen Ali had retired from Test cricket. Hasn't played Test cricket since September 2021. Retired and then had a conversation with Brendon McCullum about coming back before the Pakistan tour and basically said he is done with that. He has checked out of first-class cricket and Test cricket. So I wouldn't pick him for those reasons," Atherton said.

While Atherton acknowledged the appeal of having Moeen in the lineup as a batsman who fits the team's current style, he also acknowledged Moeen's relatively modest performance in Test cricket, particularly against Australia.

"But I see the attraction. If he is back to his best, you have a batter who fits the mould of the current side and somebody who has taken a lot of wickets in Test cricket for England. But he does have a modest record in Test cricket. Even when he was a Test cricketer before retirement, he had a modest record against Australia,"  Atherton stated.

Interestingly, Moeen is the lone spinner in England's entire Test squad, and is likely to feature in all five matches of the Ashes series. The first Test starts from June 16 at Edgbaston.