ENG VS IND 2018: England Releases Moeen Ali and James Porter for NatWest T20 Blast

As the first Test between the England and India is in progress, English team management has released Moeen Ali and James Porter from their Test squad and has eventually allowed them to participate in this week’s NatWest Twenty20 Blast matches. While Moeen plays for Worcestershire, Porter is a part of the Essex County side.

Both the players who are part of the English squad for the first three Tests against India was unable to find a place in the playing XI.

The news was revealed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after the kick off of an opening Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday (August 1)

Both the players were initially named in the 13-member squad for the opening Test.

However, England confirmed their playing XI on Tuesday (July 30) which saw the off-spinning all-rounder being left out from the XI. Adil Rashid was picked ahead of Ali. Rashid’s selection in the Test squad has not gone well with former England players and cricketing pundits.

They have felt that it has been a punch on the face of county cricket by electing Rashid. He has not played enough red-ball cricket and even retired from this format a year ago. Hence, the selection came as a surprise.

Moeen Ali made way for Adil Rashid: 

James Porter bagged three wickets against India in the warm-up game while playing for Essex. He bowled quite well and had expected to make his debut in the opening Test.

However, as of now, he has to wait longer to make his Test debut.

Meanwhile, Ali was most likely to sit out as England urged to go with a lone spinner. Hence there was no doubt that when Rashid was selected he would be part of the playing XI.

Mooen Ali will be playing a couple of back-to-back games in the NatWest T20 Blast.

He will play against Durham at home on Friday and away against Nottinghamshire on Saturday.

Meanwhile, James Porter is expected to be available for a couple of consecutive matches against Kent on Thursday and against Somerset on Friday.