Former English cricketer Nasser Hussain feels England can go with four closers with Joe Root as a spinner in the lineup if Moeen Ali does not recover for the second Ashes Test 2023 at Lord’s. He feels that the home of cricket is the only place the team can drop a spinner and play four closers.
Moeen Ali developed a blister on her right index finger during the first ongoing 2023 Test of the Ashes at Edgbaston. He too was sanctioned by the ICC after he was seen applying a drying agent to his hand due to a finger injury. He looked good after that and he was expected to play a big role with an offer as well.
But the spell with the new ball during the late innings of the game saw Moeen Ali split his injury and he was unable to get a good grip on the ball. He landed the balls short and was brought in for runs. But with a pitch that offers spin, he would have proven a vital cog for England if he were fully fit. No doubt he will try one more time, but fighting the pain will not be easy for him.
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There has been a lot of talk about his injury and with the second Test of Ashes scheduled for July 28, there is no confirmation on whether or not he will play in the next match. If Moeen Ali misses the second game it will be a blow to England as they do not have a quality player in the squad, with Jack Leach also out due to injury.
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Nasser Hussan highlighted the lack of spinners in England, saying that out of the top 46 wicket-takers, only two are spinners and cannot play for England. Speaking on Day 5 of the first Test.
He said: “If there’s one piece of land you could leave the spinner out on and play Root, it would be Lord’s, unless it’s fully baked. He doesn’t always spin there in Test matches, but it can get very flat so you may need your spinner there in a holding role.”
“The problem in English first-class cricket is that out of 46 main wicket-takers, 44 are closers, and the two spinners are Simon Harmer at Essex, who can’t play for us, and Jack Leach, who is injured.”
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Ashes 2023: I’d Think Root and Four Seams – Nasser Hussain
Nasser Hussain went on to say that if England want to bring in a spinner, they can look at Will Jacks or Liam Dawson. But he would be batting for England to play with four closers and a spinner in Joe Root.
He explained: “Obviously Will Jacks came on against Pakistan and got a six on his debut. If you’re going to go for a second spinner, he has to be someone who is way better than Root.”
“Liam Dawson at Hamsphire – Rob Key has always been a fan of his. Tom Hartley in Lancashire also bats a bit, Rehan Ahmed hasn’t bowled much, and the problem is you’re leaving out someone like Anderson, Broad or Robinson. It’s really complicated, you expect Moeen to improve, but I would think Root and four seams.
It remains to be seen if Moeen Ali will be fit for the second game or not. The big question remains whether or not the all-rounder will bowl on Day 5.
Also read: Ashes 2023: ‘Not an option’: Moeen Ali unlikely to pick Wickets on Day 5, Kevin Pietersen feels
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