Moeen Ali offered Ashes return

[Ghfd]

Going to be very interesting how much he contributes in either discipline

could be inspired or a real error

hopefully inspired

 

[MustardAndOnions]

He also hasn't played first class cricket for 2 years, and left because he was consistently poor will ball and bat for a year. We are now expecting him to come back and bowl a huge chunk of overs against one of the best test sides with no match practice in the longer format. He may have played the format for 10 years but he was rightly moved on from due to his performances, he was also always more of a batting alrounder

The last bit isn’t true like, he has nearly 200 wickets at 36

That’s good

You couldn’t pick Ahmed or jacks

It’s worth ago like, if it doesn’t work, so be it. People are so critical like. Not just back them up a bit for once considering they’ve won nearly every game they’ve played?
One more stat

No English spinner this season has took 10 wickets this year other than Jack leach

 

[chopsfc007]

The last bit isn’t true like, he has nearly 200 wickets at 36

That’s good

You couldn’t pick Ahmed or jacks

It’s worth ago like, if it doesn’t work, so be it. People are so critical like. Not just back them up a bit for once considering they’ve won nearly every game they’ve played?
One more stat

No English spinner this season has took 10 wickets this year other than Jack leach

Fancy being critical of someone who averaged 64 with ball in his prime against Australia nevermind now

 

[MustardAndOnions]

Fancy being critical of someone who averaged 64 with ball in his prime against Australia nevermind now

As I’ve said I have absolutely no interest of records before stokes n mcculum, nobody has played cricket like that m

He also took 200 wickets at 36 if that’s your game

And no other spinner has took 10 wickets in England this season, Ahmed is averaging over 50 in division 2

It’s a bit of a punt but there was nobody else to pick

 

[SAFC11]

The last bit isn’t true like, he has nearly 200 wickets at 36

That’s good

You couldn’t pick Ahmed or jacks

It’s worth ago like, if it doesn’t work, so be it. People are so critical like. Not just back them up a bit for once considering they’ve won nearly every game they’ve played?
One more stat

No English spinner this season has took 10 wickets this year other than Jack leach

Not denying the wickets he took or anything, just that one of the main reasons he was often selected ahead of other spinners was his ability as a batsmen. He had been a very good bowler at times. But a waning spinner that retired from 1st class cricket two years ago isn't the right way to go imo. Don't care how good he has been a decade ago even 5 years ago, there's a reason he retired. And if I bowler who hasn't played 1st class cricket in 2 years and mainly plays 20 20 around the globe is our best option to replace leach, then the rest should just give up being spin bowlers.

He will get supported when he plays and I hope he makes me eat my words, and yes most decisions they've made have worked. That doesn't mean there should be no disagreement or discussion about anything though

 

[MustardAndOnions]

Not denying the wickets he took or anything, just that one of the main reasons he was often selected ahead of other spinners was his ability as a batsmen. He had been a very good bowler at times. But a waning spinner that retired from 1st class cricket two years ago isn't the right way to go imo. Don't care how good he has been a decade ago even 5 years ago, there's a reason he retired. And if I bowler who hasn't played 1st class cricket in 2 years and mainly plays 20 20 around the globe is our best option to replace leach, then the rest should just give up being spin bowlers.

He will get supported when he plays and I hope he makes me eat my words, and yes most decisions they've made have worked. That doesn't mean there should be no disagreement or discussion about anything though

Fair play I fundamentally disagree with your first point though, he was the best spinner in England by a mile. Who was meant to be better than him in that period?

Your second point is fair he hasn’t played, but as I said no spinner this season outside of leach has took 10wickets. I dunno who he is meant to be taking the place of, there isn’t anyone really.

 

[chunksafc]

I don’t think this is fair like

Ali played county cricket for over a decade

It’s the right call, pick your best side.

It’s 10 days before the start, Ahmed n Jacks aren’t ready


People seem to try and turn every selection into a referendum on county cricket

Every single members of this team came through county cricket and played it for years

On Ali it’s just a question of if he can still get the fizz on the ball, he’s got nearly 200 wickets, he was a good bowler, underated.

It’s worth ago with 4 left handers for them too

I was discussing with Chunky that 2 players have been picked previously having not played red ball cricket for ages. Which makes you wonder if players would rather just go straight to white ball than do the grind of the red ball circuit

 

[MustardAndOnions]

I was discussing with Chunky that 2 players have been picked previously having not played red ball cricket for ages. Which makes you wonder if players would rather just go straight to white ball than do the grind of the red ball circuit

Not really because they made their name in red ball cricket first.

 

[mackembhoy]

He also hasn't played first class cricket for 2 years, and left because he was consistently poor will ball and bat for a year. We are now expecting him to come back and bowl a huge chunk of overs against one of the best test sides with no match practice in the longer format. He may have played the format for 10 years but he was rightly moved on from due to his performances, he was also always more of a batting alrounder

It was his decision down to hating the bubble cricket life than being moved on mind.

 

[SAFC11]

Fair play I fundamentally disagree with your first point though, he was the best spinner in England by a mile. Who was meant to be better than him in that period?

Your second point is fair he hasn’t played, but as I said no spinner this season outside of leach has took 10wickets. I dunno who he is meant to be taking the place of, there isn’t anyone really.

Fair enough not going argue about the first bit as its history anyway

Second point is Ali hasn't even played a game though so has even less wickets that everyone else, with no evidence he would have taken any more. He has less match practice, likely less consistent bowling due to only playing 20/20. His record against Australia is also poor whether home or away. I just don't see in my opinion how it's any better than atleast having someone who has been playing first class and the number of overs it requires. I'm assuming it's why they've only announced Ali for the 1st 2 tests

It was his decision down to hating the bubble cricket life than being moved on mind.

Except he also gave up on 4 day cricket and was happy to be in a bubble for the ipl I believe

 

[MustardAndOnions]

Fair enough not going argue about the first bit as its history anyway

Second point is Ali hasn't even played a game though so has even less wickets that everyone else, with no evidence he would have taken any more. He has less match practice, likely less consistent bowling due to only playing 20/20. His record against Australia is also poor whether home or away. I just don't see in my opinion how it's any better than atleast having someone who has been playing first class and the number of overs it requires. I'm assuming it's why they've only announced Ali for the 1st 2 tests

Except he also gave up on 4 day cricket and was happy to be in a bubble for the ipl I believe

Like who?!?!

Jacks has been injured, Ahmed hasn’t bowled that many overs and has been poor

He’s worth a look like.

No other bowler has 10 wickets like. He isn’t taking anyone’s place like

 

[Voice of fair play]

The bottom line here imo.

Is it is a massive Ashes series and you pick your best team!

Moeen is on your best team, might sound harsh, but if another spinner in county cricket is put out then so be it.

Pick your best team

Is there anyone available better?

Not imo

 

[SAFC11]

Like who?!?!

Jacks has been injured, Ahmed hasn’t bowled that many overs and has been poor

He’s worth a look like.

No other bowler has 10 wickets like. He isn’t taking anyone’s place like

He is taking the place of people that actually want to play the longer format though, it's fact. Whether you think the others are good enough is neither here nor there. It's the principle someone can retire from the format for 2 years and suddenly be parachuted in with no performance index aside from a player he used to be many years ago. As I say if they think he is the best option than the rest of the spinners on the county circuit should just give up as they must be really poor

The bottom line here imo.

Is it is a massive Ashes series and you pick your best team!

Moeen is on your best team, might sound harsh, but if another spinner in county cricket is put out then so be it.

Pick your best team

The issue people have is there is no proof at this time that moeen is on our best team. If he had been atleast bowling regularly or playing longer format every now and then people would be much more accepting.

I hope it works out and this is a masterstroke

 

[Voice of fair play]

He is taking the place of people that actually want to play the longer format though, it's fact. Whether you think the others are good enough is neither here nor there. It's the principle someone can retire from the format for 2 years and suddenly be parachuted in with no performance index aside from a player he used to be many years ago. As I say if they think he is the best option than the rest of the spinners on the county circuit should just give up as they must be really poor

The issue people have is there is no proof at this time that moeen is on our best team. If he had been atleast bowling regularly or playing longer format every now and then people would be much more accepting.

I hope it works out and this is a masterstroke

I think you make some really good points maté especially the bit about suddenly coming back after 2 years, and I certainly don’t like the fact England had to wait for him to decide if he wanted to play in the Ashes!

However the England side is not some reward to some county spinner for putting in the hard work.

The England side is pick your best side to win a series, especially an Ashes series, and of all current players available he is certainly in that best side imo.

 

[MustardAndOnions]

He is taking the place of people that actually want to play the longer format though, it's fact. Whether you think the others are good enough is neither here nor there. It's the principle someone can retire from the format for 2 years and suddenly be parachuted in with no performance index aside from a player he used to be many years ago. As I say if they think he is the best option than the rest of the spinners on the county circuit should just give up as they must be really poor

The issue people have is there is no proof at this time that moeen is on our best team. If he had been atleast bowling regularly or playing longer format every now and then people would be much more accepting.

I hope it works out and this is a masterstroke

People? Most I’ve read online everyone is in support of this move

No they shouldn’t give up. This is such over the top hyperbole.

The fact you can’t even name 1 player line of undermines your whole argument. It also just ignored the fact that Mo Ali was a county stalwart. You are talking like he just appeared from nowhere from the IPL. It’s his county and then international success that got him that gig.

When was the last time any of India’s players played in their first class competition?

I love county cricket and I regularly attend. So I feel well placed to talk. Picking a bloke with 200 test wickets 10 days before an ashes because your be at spinner is injured isnt some referendum of county cricket.

Nobody has been taking wickets this year

If it’s a disater then no big deal, none of the options are ideal are they?

It’s worth and if it works it works, if not. Try somebody else.

 

[SAFC11]

I think you make some really good points maté especially the bit about suddenly coming back after 2 years, and I certainly don’t like the fact England had to wait for him to decide if he wanted to play in the Ashes.

However the England side is not some reward to some county spinner for putting in the hard work.

The England side is pick your best side to win a series, especially a Ashes series and of all current players available he is certainly in that best side imo.

As I say I just hope it is a masterstroke. Atleast it lengthens the tail more than leach

 

[MustardAndOnions]

I think you make some really good points maté especially the bit about suddenly coming back after 2 years, and I certainly don’t like the fact England had to wait for him to decide if he wanted to play in the Ashes!

However the England side is not some reward to some county spinner for putting in the hard work.

The England side is pick your best side to win a series, especially an Ashes series, and of all current players available he is certainly in that best side imo.

This is it

It’s not ideal like, this is why leach is a big big loss.

But I think it’s worth ago. I’m a defender of county cricket but annoys when people try n turn every selection into a referendum on county cricket

 

[SAFC11]

People? Most I’ve read online everyone is in support of this move

No they shouldn’t give up. This is such over the top hyperbole.

The fact you can’t even name 1 player line of undermines your whole argument. It also just ignored the fact that Mo Ali was a county stalwart. You are talking like he just appeared from nowhere from the IPL. It’s his county and then international success that got him that gig.

When was the last time any of India’s players played in their first class competition?

I love county cricket and I regularly attend. So I feel well placed to talk. Picking a bloke with 200 test wickets 10 days before an ashes because your be at spinner is injured isnt some referendum of county cricket.

Nobody has been taking wickets this year

If it’s a disater then no big deal, none of the options are ideal are they?

It’s worth and if it works it works, if not. Try somebody else.

I'm not going to argue or disagree with you as there is no point. I just don't believe in going back to people that have given up on it previously.

I hope it works out and your passionate arguement for it is rewarded. At the end of the day every one wants the same thing and that's to beat the aussies no matter what

 

[MustardAndOnions]

I'm not going to argue or disagree with you as there is no point. I just don't believe in going back to people that have given up on it previously.

I hope it works out and your passionate arguement for it is rewarded. At the end of the day every one wants the same thing and that's to beat the aussies no matter what

I don’t really have A passionate argument for him mind, I just think the reaction by some is over the top. I don’t think we have anyone to replace leach personally.

It’s a punt for sure, and the question is csn he still turn it like he used to 2 years ago. He might not. But it becomes less of a risk when the alternatives are Ahmed and Jacks if you know what I mean?

If we had more spinners like literally taking any wickets I’d fully agree with you 100%

I think they’ll have a look and if he’s finished they will soon move on.

Cricket landscape is changing fast though, this idea we can just pick bloke playing every 4 day game is not in reality like. I still think people naive to how quickly the game is changing
For example I’d have picked Sam Curran. But he hasn’t played CC as he got offered 2 mill in IPL

Are we now saying he can’t be picked and expect him to turn down life changing money to play for surrey?

 

[SAFC11]

This is it

It’s not ideal like, this is why leach is a big big loss.

But I think it’s worth ago. I’m a defender of county cricket but annoys when people try n turn every selection into a referendum on county cricket

I'm not arguing about a referendum on county cricket either. My point is more that in 3 years we have only leach that we are willing to trust, he gets injured and apparently the cupboards are bare. It just slightly disconcerting how no-one else as moeens career was ending has made inroads, that we have to go back to him. Granted county cricket in England has never been the most favourable conditions for spinners