England’s all-rounder Moeen Ali is poised to make his international comeback as England takes on New Zealand in an upcoming ODI series. The series comprising T20Is and ODIs is part of England’s preparations for the ODI World Cup. Moeen Ali’s return to the international scene after featuring in The Hundred League has sparked discussions about England’s white-ball cricket preparations, the challenges of shifting formats, and the competition for World Cup squad selection.
Moeen Ali, who recently participated in The Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix, is set to return to international cricket for the ODI series against New Zealand. His involvement in The Hundred has provided valuable match practice, enhancing his readiness for the upcoming series and the subsequent World Cup.
In a conversation with SKY Sports, Moeen Ali discussed England’s transition from red-ball cricket to white-ball cricket. He emphasized the mental adaptation required by players to switch formats successfully. He highlighted the experience and versatility of the players, asserting that they can make the necessary adjustments, as demonstrated in previous tournaments like the T20 World Cup and the Ashes.
“Not Really. There is a lot of white-ball cricket and so much cricket. You mentally get ready and adapt your game, and many of the guys are experienced and good enough to do that. We have done it in the T20 World Cup and now with the Ashes. It’s more mental shift and doable,” said Moeen Ali.
Moeen Ali expressed confidence that England has sufficient white-ball cricket planned for the ODI World Cup. He mentioned the upcoming series against New Zealand and Ireland as valuable opportunities for the team to fine-tune their preparations for the ICC event. With a series of matches lined up, Ali believes England will have ample game time to refine their skills and strategies.
“There is a series against New Zealand and Ireland beforehand, so we will have enough cricket, and there will be enough games,” Ali added further.
The all-rounder acknowledged the intense competition within the English cricket squad across all formats. He identified players such as Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone, and Chris Woakes as individuals aiming to stake their claim for World Cup squad selection. Ali highlighted the strong competition and the players’ desire to contribute, making it challenging for the selectors.
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“Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone, and there is, of course, Chris Woakes. He is back on Sunday. There are a lot of players who want to get into the squad. The competition is so strong now with all forms now that it’s difficult, so you want to play and put your hand up. So there is plenty of cricket to prepare for the World Cup,” Moeen Ali said.
England’s ODI World Cup campaign begins with a match against New Zealand on October 5, reminiscent of the 2019 World Cup final. The contest will take place in Ahmedabad.
