England allrounder Moeen Ali has expressed that the current ODI team can lay claim to being the best to play for the country only if they manage to win a World Cup trophy. England is set to host the 12th edition of the ODI World Cup commencing on May 30 and are a hot-favorites to lift a maiden title. They have played finals for three times in 1979, 1987 and 1992 but ended up being the second-best.
After a disastrous World Cup campaign in 2015, the team decided to change its approach in limited-overs cricket which has seen them rise to the top of the pile in ODI rankings under Eoin Morgan.
Talking about the same, Moeen said, “We can say we were the best ODI side to play for England but without a trophy, it will be difficult to say that. We have come close and we feel now is the time. We don’t feel we have to win it, it’s more ‘this is the time to win it’. We are an amazing side but we know this year is massive for us.”
ALSO READ: England Goes Downhill In The ICC Test Rankings
It’s been quite a comeback for Moeen as he fell out of contention from England’s Test team before making a remarkable comeback in 2018, against India. Selector Ed Smith’s comments on him not considered as the first-choice England spinner ‘hit him hard’ as he missed out the home series against Pakistan. After being recalled for the fifth and final Test against India last year, he took nine wickets in England’s 60-run victory in Southampton.
In the recently concluded three-match Test series in West Indies, Ali failed to deliver with the bat but made up for it with an impressive performance with the ball, finishing with 14 wickets at 23.85.
Talking about the same, Moeen said, “It [Smith’s remarks] hit me hard, well, it was disappointing. I felt like they were looking for someone else. I did need that break at the time but it spurred me on and I still had the belief. Things happen for a reason. Maybe if I’d been picked versus Pakistan I wouldn’t have bowled well but I came back against India fresh, scoring runs and taking wickets, and I felt at the top of my game.”
Moeen now has 177 Test scalps which are the fourth best among England spinners behind Jim Laker, Graeme Swann, and Derek Underwood.
ALSO READ: Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid face a funny lie detector test
He further added, “I feel like I belong, people might think I don’t because they think I’m not a proper spinner but when you go past some of the greats, for me, I think ‘Maybe I am a good spinner. I must have done OK to get that many wickets’.”
