England will stick to struggling spinner Moeen Ali for Lord’s, with coach Brendon McCullum confirming the veteran can be picked for the second Ashes Test, offering he’s match.
Moeen struggled to grip the ball for big elements of England’s thrilling two-wicket loss to Australia at Edgbaston, as he battled a blister on his spinning finger.
It got here amid questions over whether or not England would stick to the underdone spinner, who was solely introduced out of Test retirement per week earlier than the sequence began.
The state of affairs even prompted Nathan Lyon to confess he felt sorry for his spinning rival, although Lyon additionally proved how worthwhile spin may have been for England after taking eight wickets for the match.
But the hosts are assured Moeen can be match for Lord’s, and say they may stick to the 36-year-old after his sad match figures of 3-204 at Edgbaston.
“I’m pretty confident that we can get on top of Moeen’s finger,” McCullum stated.
“That will give us an opportunity to select him in the next game and, if he’s available, he will be selected.
“I believed Moeen did an amazing job.
“He bowled a couple of absolute ‘jaffas’ in the game and that’s what his role was, to try and make breakthroughs when he had the opportunity.”
McCullum can be adamant England’s fearless strategy was the precise one and that they may play the identical model of cricket once more at Lord’s.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain has turn into one of many first huge voices in England cricket to query its necessity, after England declared late on day one within the first innings and threw wickets away at instances with attacking strokes.
“Remember, we’ve beaten Australia in England since 2001 playing the old-fashioned way,” Hussain instructed Sky Sports.
“We didn’t need ‘Bazball’ to beat Australia.
“The solely factor I’ll say is that they confirmed why they’re World Test Champions and the No.1 facet on the planet.
“They’ve got some serious players and some seriously tough players as well.”
Hussain was additionally involved in regards to the reality England have now misplaced two of their previous three Tests, after additionally being overwhelmed by New Zealand in February following one other first-innings declaration.
“You can’t hide behind that (wanting to entertain),” Hussain stated.
“England lost in New Zealand as well, if you remember.
“I do know they’ve had Ireland in between, however now they’ve misplaced right here and there are two video games of cricket they might have gained, ought to have gained.”
But McCullum insisted his side had made the right call to play the way they did in Birmingham.
“The software to how we wish to play proper all through was excellent,” McCullum stated.
“A few issues did not fairly go our manner at instances as properly, however that is the character of the sport.
“But we firmly believe, the skipper (Ben Stokes) and I, that this gives us our greatest chance.”
McCullum additionally backed Jonny Bairstow’s glovework behind the stumps after he spilled a number of essential possibilities.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
