Ashes 2023: "I Would Think About Root And Four Seamers" - Nasser Hussain On England's Combination For Lord's Test If Moeen Ali Doesn't Recover
Updated - 20 Jun 2023, 08:34 PM
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Former English cricketer Nasser Hussain feels that England can go with four seamers with Joe Root as a spinner in the lineup if Moeen Ali doesn’t recover for the second Test of the Ashes 2023 At Lord’s. He feels that the home of cricket is the one venue where the team can drop a spinner and play four seamers.
Moeen Ali developed a blister on his right index finger during the ongoing first Test of the Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston. He was also penalized by the ICC after he was seen applying a drying agent to his hand because of a finger injury. He seemed good after that and was expected to play a big role with a spin on offer as well.
But the spell with the new ball during the last innings of the game saw Moeen Ali split his injury and he couldn’t grip the ball well. He 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.
Lots of talks have been about his injury and with the second Test of Ashes slated to take place on 28th July, there’s no confirmation if he will play in the next game or not. If Moeen Ali misses the second game it’ll be a blow for England as they don’t have a quality spinner in the team with Jack Leach also being out due to injury.
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Nasser Hussan highlighted the lack of spinners in England, saying that out of 46 leading wicket-takers, only two are spinners and they can’t play for England. Speaking during the Day 5 of the first Test.
He said: “If there is one ground you could leave your spinner out and play Root, it would be Lord’s – unless it’s absolutely baking. It doesn’t always turn there in the Test matches, but it can get very flat so you may need your spinner there in a holding role.”
“The problem in English first-class cricket is of the leading 46 wicket-takers, 44 are seamers – and the two spinners are Simon Harmer at Essex, who can’t play for us, and Jack Leach who is injured.”
Ashes 2023: I would think about Root and four-seamers – Nasser Hussain
Nasser Hussain further went on to say that if England wants to bring in a spinner they can look at Will Jacks or Liam Dawson. But he would be batting for England to play four seamers and one spinner in Joe Root.
He explained: “Will Jacks obviously came in against Pakistan and got a six-for on his debut. If you’re going to go for a second spinner, it has to be someone who is a lot better than Root.”
“Liam Dawson at Hamsphire – Rob Key has always been a fan of his. Tom Hartley at Lancashire bats a bit as well, Rehan Ahmed hasn’t bowled much, and the problem is then you’re leaving out someone like Anderson, Broad or Robinson. It’s really tricky, you hope Moeen would improve, but I would think about Root and four-seamers.”
It remains to be seen if Moeen Ali will be fit for the second game or not. The big question remains if the all-rounder will bowl on Day 5 or not.
Also Read: Ashes 2023: “Not An Option”- Moeen Ali Unlikely To Pick Wickets On Day 5, Feels Kevin Pietersen
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Joe Root Moeen Ali Nasser Hussain
