England in Sri Lanka: Sir Ian Botham tips Moeen Ali to star for England
'This series will be a benchmark for England...'
Monday 24 November 2014 17:05, UK
Sir Ian Botham is backing Moeen Ali to star for England in their one-day series with Sri Lanka, which starts on Wednesday.
Moeen shone with bat and ball in England's rain-affected warm-up victory over Sri Lanka A last week, hitting a half century before taking 3-29.
The Worcestershire all-rounder opened the batting alongside skipper Alastair Cook and Botham believes it’s a position he could flourish in.
The Sky Sports cricket pundit said: "Moeen is the man in form. He was impressive the other day with bat and ball and the conditions will certainly suit his style of cricket.
Live One-Day International Cricket
"I think he will enjoy batting up the order and he could help solve a problem area for England."
The tourists play the first match in the seven-match one-day series in Colombo on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports 2 HD, and Botham feels it’s a series they can win as they continue their preparations for next year's World Cup in Australia.
The former England all-rounder and Sky Bet tipster said: "England are building a side to challenge in next year's World Cup. There are still a few questions that need answering and a few places in the team up for grabs, but this series will be a benchmark.
"It's definitely a series England could win. Sri Lanka were hammered 5-0 by India recently, while England have struggled in this format of the game for a while."
England will be desperate to avenge a 3-2 series defeat by Sri Lanka on home soil at the start of last summer and head into the series as 7/4 shots with Sky Bet with the hosts odds-on favourites.
Botham added: "I think it will be very close. The weather will definitely play a part. We're still in their rainy season, the first match may be affected by the weather but the forecast for the weekend is much better.
"It's going to be tight but I can see England edging it by one match."
Beefy's Bets
England win series - 7/4
Moeen Ali top series bat - 5/1
Moeen Ali top series bowler - 6/1
Ali top bat/bowler double - 40/1
Watch England’s seven-match ODI series against Sri Lanka live on Sky Sports, starting with the first ODI on Wednesday, from 8.30am on SS2.
