Ashes 2023: "He Is Clearly Struggling," Michael Atherton Feels It Will Be Hard For Moeen Ali To Make Impact On Day 5 At Edgbaston Due To His Injury
Published - 20 Jun 2023, 05:37 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM
Former English cricketer Michael Atherton believes that it’ll be hard for Moeen Ali to make an impact with the ball on Day 5 of the ongoing first Test of the Ashes 2023 against Australia at the Edgbaston in Birmingham.
The first Test of the ongoing Ashes is evenly poised and we are all set for the exciting finish. Australia needs 174 runs to win whereas, on the other hand, England is 7 wickets away from the win but they would be having the momentum on their side because they already have removed David Warner, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.
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One of the major concerns for England will be the fitness of Moeen Ali going into the final day of the match. The all-rounder developed a blister on his right index finger, which saw him struggling with his bowling. His injury split again on Day 4 and he couldn’t grip the ball well.
Moeen Ali landed the balls short and was taken to runs. But with pitch offering spin, he would’ve proved to be a vital cog for England if fully fit. He no doubt will have a go once again but battling the pain won’t be easy for him.
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Michael Atherton said that Moeen Ali no doubt will bowl through the pain but he won’t be able to make an impact.
Writing in his column for the Times, he said: “Ali is clearly struggling. He was given six overs after the new ball burst, and his finger stood up for four of them, before the blister/cut opened up again. No doubt he will bowl through the pain if required but it is hard to see him having the impact a spinner would hope to have on this parched surface or emulating Nathan Lyon who kept England in check with another fine display.”
Ashes 2023: It has been admirable to watch Stokes’ team make all the running – Michael Atherton
Michael Atherton further lauded skipper Ben Stokes for their plans and highlighted they were clear about how they wanted to play their cricket.
He explained: “It has been admirable to watch Stokes’ team make all the running, even if it has been a far from error-free performance. If their aspirations at the start of play were unclear then they became so with the first ball of the morning when Root attempted to reverse-scoop Pat Cummins over the three waiting slips, without making contact.”
Also Read: Ashes 2023: Stuart Broad Hopes To Emulate England’s 2005 Ashes Heroes On The Final Day At Edgbaston
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