Moeen Ali's Inclusion In The Squad Offers Us Plenty Of Options To Go With: Joe Root

England captain Joe Root opened up on all-rounder Moeen Ali’s inclusion in the Test squad to face India in the ongoing series. Persistent rains washed out the fifth day of the first Test between England and India, forcing it to be a draw. Joe Root believes Moeen Ali’s addition to their team gives them an extra option, claiming he could balance the side well.

Moeen Ali has been in remarkable form in The Hundred for the Birmingham Pheonix, scoring 189 runs in six matches at 31.50, striking at 154.91. However, the spin-bowling all-rounder has snared only one wicket thus far in the tournament. However, head coach Chris Silverwood was glad to have him and talked about his incredible form in the competition with the willow.

Additionally, the 34-year old was amongst the wickets when India visited England in 2018 to play a five-match Test series. In two Tests, Ali ended up with 12 wickets in two games at 21 with a solitary fifer. However, it looks unlikely for the Warwickshire all-rounder to play the next Test at the Lord’s. Ali has 2831 runs in 61 Tests at 28.89 alongside 189 scalps at 36.24 apiece.

There are a lot of options we can go with currently: Joe Root

Joe Root stated that Moeen Ali’s inclusion to the squad gives them plenty of variety to go with and balance the team out as per the conditions. The 30-year old highlighted they will take everything into consideration and choose the best side to win the Test.

“There are a lot of options we can go with currently. I think that’s the nice thing about bringing Mo (Moeen) into the squad. It gives us a number of different ways we can go, and balance the team out. It will all be taken into consideration. We will try to pick the side we think is best going to win here in the conditions we get,” Joe Root stated as quoted by Cricbuzz.

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