‘Mo hasn’t played a red-ball game for an extended period of time’ – Andrew McDonald opens up on undercooked Moeen Ali ahead of Ashes

Andrew McDonald of the Thunder looks on during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Thunder and the Sydney Sixers at ANZ Stadium. (Photo by Brett Hemmings – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)

With the much-anticipated Ashes series right around the corner, both England and Australia would be keen on staying at the top of their games as they gear up to take each other on in the marquee series from June 16.

However, England will be without their premier spinner Jack Leach as he sustained a lower-back fracture recently. The Ben Stokes-led team brought veteran all-rounder Moeen Ali out of retirement as Leach’s replacement. Coming in as a late-notice injury replacement, Ali will feature in England’s squad for the first two Tests of the Ashes series for now.

However, Australia coach Andrew McDonald is of the opinion that Ali’s inclusion in the Test squad could prove to be an added challenge for skipper Stokes. With minimal practice in red-ball cricket, Ali could take time to get settled with the squad in the series.

“I think there’s a challenge there, isn’t there? Mo hasn’t played a red-ball game for an extended period of time. No doubt he’ll be prepared; he’s had a couple of weeks’ notice,” Andrew McDonald told the press after Australia won the WTC final as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“But I think Jack Leach really complemented that attack and his wicket-taking ability, and the way Ben Stokes has used him has been a little more aggressive and has reaped some great rewards,” he added.

They’ll have to operate fractionally differently: McDonald

Furthermore, Andrew McDonald also opined that Ali’s inclusion could be a reason for a big change in the England squad. He stated that despite Ali strengthening the side’s lower order drastically, England would have to operate differently.

“So, yeah, it will look different with Mo there. Mo has 190-odd Test wickets as well [and] strengthens their lower order, so it won’t be the same but they’ll have to operate fractionally differently – no doubt about that,” McDonald said.

The first Test of the Ashes series is scheduled to begin on June 16 and will be played at Edgbaston, Birmingham. England would look to come into the game with all guns blazing as they strive to reclaim the iconic urn.