England Test captain Ben Stokes has backed the selections of Stuart Broad and Moeen Ali for the opening Ashes Test against Australia starting on June 16 at Edgbaston. Stokes also said that Broad’s record against Australian opener David Warner played a key factor in his selection, the all-rounder also said that he couldn’t look past Moeen Ali as Jack Leach’s replacement as well. England named three pacers in Broad, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson in their playing XI to face Australia in the first Test. Ali, who came out of retirement as Jack Leach’s replacement, will also play his first Test in nearly two years as well.
At a press conference on Thursday, Stokes said about Stuart Broad’s inclusion, saying, “I think Broady’s record against Australia is incredible. I’d be lying if I said Broad’s record against Warner (was not a factor). I had to think hard about who we were going to replace Leachy with, and a player like Mo who I have seen put in some unbelievable match-winning performances, albeit a long time ago, was something that I couldn’t look past.”Moeen is going to come in here, and I am looking at what he can offer to this team on his best days and not worrying about anything else.”
However, the veteran doesn’t have an impressive record against Australia, averaging 22.05 with the bat in 11 Tests and 64.65 with the ball as well. In a chat with Sky Sports, former England captain Michael Atherton has also said that he wouldn’t have chosen Moeen Ali, considering his rather modest Test record against the visitors.
Ben Stokes further added that he is confident of bowling full tilt after struggling with injuries in the last few months.
“The last three days have been really good for my confidence. I have bowled some overs and been able to run in with more intensity day by day, so I have got myself in a really good place to bowl. I definitely feel in a better place than I did in Wellington and even before that. My body was stopping me. … but what I have done is put myself in a place where I feel more capable to do that. I will give 100 per cent of what I have got at the time,” Ben Stokes concluded.
