Moeen Ali must get Ashes ready in county game, says Ian Smith
England need to be 'ruthless' against Australia, adds Nasser Hussain
Tuesday 2 June 2015 22:55, UK
Moeen Ali must make the most of his stint with Worcestershire if he is to be a threat in the Ashes, says Ian Smith.
England spinner Moeen will return to the county circuit over the next few weeks, having been left out of his country’s ODI squad to face New Zealand.
The 27-year-old took five wickets at an average of 50 during England’s drawn Test series with the Black Caps, with his best return figures of 3-94 in the first encounter at Lord’s.
Moeen has to simulate Test-match conditions when he bowls and not go back to county cricket tradesman-like.
And Smith says the slow bowler needs to treat his upcoming County Championship fixtures as Tests with Australia looming from July 8.
“Moeen has to simulate Test-match conditions when he bowls and not go back to county cricket tradesman-like,” said Sky Sports pundit Smith.
“He must have field settings and captaincy that suggest there is pressure on and he has got to take wickets.
“Australia are going to come at him so he needs batsmen to do the same and he needs to answer the challenge.”
England lost to New Zealand by 199 runs in the second Test at Headingley, slipping to 255 all out on the final day, with only Jos Buttler (73) and Alastair Cook (56) offering resistance.
And Smith’s fellow analyst Nasser Hussain believes Cook and his charges must discover a “ruthless” streak if they are to have a chance of regaining the Ashes later this summer.
“England have now won five of their last eight Tests but only won one of their last eight Test series as they haven’t been ruthless enough,” added the former England skipper.
“They are not catching everything in the slip cordon and play sloppy cricket at times, such as having New Zealand 2-2 [at Headingley] and not following it up and Adam Lyth’s run out in the first innings.
“I am not all doom and gloom but with Gary Ballance and Ian Bell out of nick and getting ready to face Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Mitchell Starc, England have serious work to do.”
“If you have any weakness against Australia it will be exposed.”
Watch the Ashes live on Sky Sports, starting with the first Test, in Cardiff, from Wednesday, July 8.
