The much-anticipated Ashes series between England and Australia is set to commence at Edgbaston on Friday (June 16). While England’s dynamic captain Ben Stokes is determined to reclaim the urn after an eight-year drought, Pat Cummins and his Australian team will be eager to hold on to the victory they achieved on home soil, a couple of years ago.
The previous Ashes series in England ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, with Australia coming close to winning on English soil for the first time since 2001. The upcoming series promises to be just as captivating, with both teams eager to prove their dominance in the longest format of the game.
One notable addition to the English squad is the return of Moeen Ali, who had previously retired from Test cricket. Jack Leach‘s injury created an opportunity for Moeen to make a remarkable comeback, and his inclusion has sparked excitement and optimism within the team.
Former England captain and assistant coach Paul Collingwood considers Moeen’s return as one of the biggest positives for the English side. Collingwood highlighted Moeen’s infectious energy, sense of humor, and exceptional all-around skills, making him a valuable asset to the squad.
Moeen’s aggressive style of play aligns perfectly with England’s new attacking approach, adding depth to both their batting and bowling line-up.
“It’s great to have Moeen back. He’s a great guy, he brings great energy into the team and has a great sense of humour. But not just that, obviously the skillset that he brings in terms of his all-round game. He is exceptional and exciting as well. He’s the perfect mould for England’s new aggressive style of playing cricket. So good to have him back,” Collingwood said in response to a CricketNext query during a select media interaction conducted by Sony Sports Network.
Despite his absence from red-ball cricket for an extended period, Collingwood asserted that the ball’s colour is inconsequential. Whether it is the white ball of limited-overs cricket or the traditional red ball used in Tests, Moeen’s approach remains the same. His natural attacking style and love for the game will be instrumental in England’s quest to reclaim the Ashes.
“In terms of Moeen not playing Test cricket for a long time, or the red ball games, it doesn’t matter what colour the ball is, white or red, we’ll ask him to have the same approach. How he loves to play the game of cricket. His natural attacking style,” he added.
While acknowledging Leach’s significant contribution, Collingwood expressed satisfaction with Moeen as his replacement.
“I feel for Jack Leach. He has been a massive heartbeat of this team over the past years and did a fantastic job. We’ve got a replacement in Moeen Ali. It’s exciting to have a guy in the team who has a great record in Tests,” Collingwood said.
As the Ashes series unfolds, all eyes will be on the performances of Moeen and his impact on the team’s fortunes. His return has injected a renewed sense of confidence in the English camp, and fans eagerly await his contributions on the field.
