Moeen Ali Lends Better Balance To England's Playing XI: Ian Bell

Former England batsman Ian Bell believes that the Joe Root-Chris Silverwood-led think-tank has done the right thing by recalling spin-bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali ahead of the second Test against India.

Moeen Ali last played Test cricket for England in Chennai against India earlier this year where he claimed eight wickets.

The spin-bowling all-rounder has not played a home Test since Ashes 2019 and he wasn’t a part of the original squad that was picked for the first two Tests.

With Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes unavailable due to different reasons, England have struggled to balance their playing XI in the home summer thus far.

England’s best spinner during the winter, Jack Leach, hasn’t been able to get a game in the home summer thus far as in the absence of an all-rounder, his skillset does not balance the playing XI.

Bell, during a video on ESPNcricinfo’, highlighted the same, adding that while it’s tough on Leach and Dom Bess, England have made the right call by recalling Moeen Ali as he is the only one who can balance the squad in the absence of Stokes and Woakes.

“We played against New Zealand at the start of the year, we didn’t play a spinner in both games, even at Edgbaston where it turned,” said Ian Bell.

“With Ben Stokes rested for the New Zealand series and obviously not available for this series, there is a lot of talk about balancing the side, if you need an all-rounder that technically balances your team, there is only Moeen Ali. So, it’s the right call. It’s tough on Jack Leach and Dom Bess who are in the squad already, so they’ve already got two spinners and they are bringing another one in” he added.

Moeen Ali enjoys bowling against the Indian batters in Test cricket, especially on home soil.

In 7 Tests, Ali has claimed 31 wickets against India at an average of 22.22.

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