England take on Australia in the first Test in Birmingham.
With the long-awaited Ashes Series just around the corner, both England and Australia will want to stay on top of the game as they prepare to meet in the main series from 16 June.
However, England will miss premier spinner Jack Leach after suffering a recent hip fracture. Ben Stokes’ team has brought in veteran all-rounder Moen Ali from retirement to replace Leach. As a short-term injury stand-in, Ali will first join the England squad for the first two Tests of the Ashes series. But
Australia manager Andrew Macdonald believes Ali’s addition to the Test squad could pose additional challenges for captain Stokes. With minimal practice in red-ball cricket, Ali could take some getting used to the series’ roster.
“I think it’s going to be tough. Mr. Mo hasn’t played a game of Red Ball in a long time. I’m sure he’s ready. As quoted by ESPNcricinfo, he has the number It was a week difference,” Andrew Macdonald told reporters after Australia won the WTC Final.
“But Jack Leach really complemented that attack and I think the ability to take wickets and the use of Ben Stokes was a bit more aggressive and paid off big,” he added.
They have to act a little differently: McDonald
Andrew MacDonald also suggested Ali’s arrival could be the reason for a big change in the England squad. He explained that England had to act differently despite Ali’s significant strengthening of the lower tier of the team.
“Well, it will be different again with Moe. Moe also has about 190 Test wickets and is strengthening the lower ranks, so it’s not the same, but it has to be done a little differently. There will be – there is no doubt about it,” McDonald said.
The first of his Test of the Ashes series is due to start on his June 16th, at Edgbaston, Birmingham. England will go all out in the game to reclaim the iconic vase.
