Optimistic Moeen Ali Eyes Re-entry In England Test Squad
Published - 15 Feb 2020, 06:39 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:03 AM
After helping England win the second T20I versus South Africa, Moeen Ali is looking to end the series on a winning note and hopes to win a place in England’s Test squad this summer.
The all-rounder helped his team level the three-match T20 series 1-1, with the series decider scheduled for this Sunday at Centurion. Ali scored a quickfire knock of 39 runs in just 11 balls, that included three boundaries and four sixes to help his team draw level with the Proteas.
After the completion of this series, England’s tour of South Africa draws to a close, and the 32-year-old will link up with Multan Sultans for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and will miss out on England’s next assignment away to Sri Lanka.
Ali hasn’t played a Test fixture since being dropped after the first game of the Ashes last summer.
Moeen Ali targets summer return to the England Test squad:
The left-hander looks in good touch and in a recent interview, Ali confirmed his desire to return to the English squad this summer when they play the West Indies and Pakistan.
“I am going to give myself a bit more time,” he said. “I want to make sure when I come back I am ready and fresh. Test cricket is not a place for tired minds,” he told to the Test Match Special Podcast.
The 32-year-old further added, “If you’re not quite on it, it’s very difficult and I know that. I’m going to give myself a bit more time. I want to keep enjoying my cricket and get that hunger back because I feel I lost that completely. I had no interest in my batting and bowling and when you are in that situation there is no point playing.”
In Ali’s absence, Jack Leach and Dom Bess have done reasonably well, and he acknowledges that, while also admitting that he’s willing to fight for his place.
“I definitely feel like I am getting there and not far [off],” said Ali. “I want to give myself extra time and know when I come back I will have to fight for my place because Leachy and Bessy have done really well. I hope they keep doing well but when I come back, I want to fight for my spot.”
After the third T20I in centurion on Sunday, the English team travels further east to play Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series.
Later this year, they will face the West Indies, Australia and Pakistan opening up their ICC T20 World Cup 2020 campaign in October.
