Moeen Ali, sledging
Image Courtesy: Getty

England all-rounder Moeen Ali has opted for a small break from the game after being dropped from the Tests squad for the Lord’s Ashes Test. He was a regular in England’s Test squad until the start of 2018 but became an irregular member right from the start of the year. Moeen did well against India but failed to make an impact thereafter.

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At World Cup 2019 as well, Moeen was given first-go but played only five matches. Just a few days after the final, Moeen went on to play for Worcestershire in the T20 Blast ahead of Ireland Test. In the one-off Test, he scored just nine runs and scalped one wicket.

Dropped From England's Test Squad, Moeen Ali Takes 'Short Break' From Cricket
Moeen Ali. Getty Images

In the opening Test at Edgbaston, he scalped three wickets for 162 runs and just scored four runs. England axed the all-rounder from the squad, also trimming the members to 12.

The break also means that he will not be available for the T20 Blast matches for his county team. He will be playing county cricket soon. Moeen will have to do heavy lifting in the first-class matches to force his comeback into the side.

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He is set to be replaced by Jack Leach in the playing XI at Lord’s. The left-armer is the sole spinner in the team and is set to play another Lord’s Test within a month – he also played against Ireland.

Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer (Credits: Getty)

Jofra Archer looks set to make his Test debut. The right-arm pacer will be replacing an injured James Anderson in playing XI. Anderson could be out for more than one Test match. Sam Curran might warm the bench once again.

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Australia confirmed their 12-member squad for the Lord’s game. The Kangaroos rested James Pattinson for Lord’s game to manage his workload.

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Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are back in the frame and only one of these two will pair Pat Cummins and Peter Siddle. The chances of Hazlewood partnering with the duo are more. Starc has endured tough times with the ball in Test cricket off late. Australia go to Lord’s with a lead of 1-0.