Ashes 2015: Moeen Ali vital for England hopes in first Ashes Test, says Bob Willis
Thursday 9 July 2015 11:58, UK
Bob Willis thinks Moeen Ali could hold the key to England’s hopes on day two of the first Ashes Test at Cardiff.
Moeen resumes on 26 not out, with England 343-7, and Willis believes England need more runs from the lower order, having struggled to a draw from a similar position the last time an Ashes Test was played in Cardiff.
“Before we get too excited about England’s position in this match, it’s almost an absolute carbon copy of day one of the Cardiff Test in 2009,” said Willis. “England were 335-7 then and the last three wickets put on another 100 runs.
“Wouldn’t England love that again this time, and what Moeen can do with the tail tomorrow is vitally important in this game.
“England need more runs and they need them in this first innings as 343 is currently no score on this pitch, especially considering that when Australia batted in that Test in 2009, they got 674-6 declared, so it shows you it’s a flat wicket.
“It’s whether Moeen can get some runs from the other end though from Broad, Wood and Anderson.
While Moeen’s efforts are crucial to England’s efforts with the bat on day two, Willis also says he has a vital role to play with the ball as Australia will look to attack him.
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“It’s going to be a brave Alastair Cook who brings Moeen on early in the piece in the Australia innings,” added Willis.
“But it could be a very valuable tactic if Moeen is bowling anywhere like at his best, because Warner, Smith and Clarke will be blowing that bugle and charging down the pitch at him.
“They’ll try to hit the spinner out of the attack, as it means the seamers have to come back and bowl. They’ll then get more tired as the day goes on and then Australia will look to make hay, so Moeen will be very important.”
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