Moeen Ali refuses to put 'timeframe' on England return

Joe Root had hinted at Moeen Ali's return for South Africa tour.

Ali was dropped from Ashes squad after first Test defeat against Australia | Getty Images

England all-rounder Moeen Ali on Wednesday, November 20, insisted that he is still undecided on his return to national duty despite Test skipper Joe Root hinting at his possible return for South Africa tour but only if he is in the right frame of mind to resume his Test career.

Moeen was not awarded red-ball contract by England after being dropped following the first Ashes Test against Australia, as the all-rounder decided to take an indefinite from international cricket to refresh himself before resuming his Test career.

Ali is also missing out on England's tour of New Zealand and is now enjoying some off time from high-pressure international cricket, playing on the franchise circuit – with Cape Town Blitz in the Mzansi Super League, and now leading Team Abu Dhabi in the ongoing T10 League in the UAE.

Read Also: Joe Root leaves poor Ashes returns behind as he prepares for upcoming Kiwi challenge

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Ali said: “I want to play at some stage but I haven't decided when or anything. I'll just take it as it comes. Obviously Leachy [Jack Leach] is in the side and bowling really well, so I've also got to get back in the side as well.”

The all-rounder continued, “It could be South Africa, could be Sri Lanka [in March], it could be just the summer. There's no sort of timeframe on it. I'll be speaking to Rooty after the series in New Zealand, and to Chris Silverwood [England coach], and we'll have a bit more clarity and more idea about it then. But at the moment I'm not thinking about it too much.”

Meanwhile, the 32-year-old said franchise cricket is a lot more relaxed than international cricket, especially Test cricket and that’s why the demand for franchise cricket has been increasing.

He further explained, “There is a lot of cricket played around the world, but in the franchise stuff the pressure is not quite the same as international, particularly Test cricket. Players will have to pick and choose depending on what they really want to play, and the stages they are at in their careers because playing so much cricket is difficult, with all the travelling and flying.

Franchise cricket is a lot more relaxed. Obviously you get the whole day to do what you want, then play in the evening, whereas in international cricket, Test cricket, everyone's watching, the pressure is on you to go and do well for your country. It is mentally and physically harder than any sort of franchise cricket.”

The left-hander has also no regret on missing out on New Zealand tour, adding: “I actually don't. I'd obviously love to be there and playing Test cricket but at the stage I was at, I felt like I needed that time away from Test cricket, so I don't feel like I'm missing out. Obviously I'm supporting them and I've been in contact with the players, but I'm just trying to enjoy my cricket and the franchise stuff.”

Spending time at franchise event has helped him to rejuvenate, admitted Ali.

He signed off by saying, “I really love it, I'm enjoying my batting and captaining here, I'm enjoying that too. It's different, the pressure's off almost. It's a different type of pressure, and it's nice to get away from that a little bit just to refresh myself.”

(With ESPN Cricinfo Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 21 Nov, 2019

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