Former England cricketer-turned-commentator Steve Harmison has called for the inclusion of the off-spinner Moeen Ali in England’s playing XI for the opening Test of the three-game series against the West Indies beginning at the bio-secure Southampton on July 8.
The world’s leading Test wicket-taker of the 2018/19 season has been struggling to find his form since the last year and even took a break from the five-day format after being dropped out from England squad following the opening Ashes match in August at home.
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However, the 32-year-old, who has so far played 60 Tests and scored 2782 runs and took 181 wickets so far, has now recalled to England squad for training for the West Indies Test, but he will have to find an edge over the fellow spinners Dom Bess and Jack Leach for a spot in Test XI.
However, the former pacer has insisted that England should include Ali in the XI for the Southampton Test against Windies, saying if he would have to pick squad, he will pick the all-rounder in his best team.
Harmison said on Wisden Cricket Weekly Podcast: “Moeen Ali comes back and for me, he plays at Southampton. If I’ve got a 30-man squad, I’m picking my best team, Ali’s in my best team, I play him.”
England has also named uncapped spinners Amar Virdi and Matt Parkinson in England’s squad for the Test series against West Indies and Harmison, who took 226 wickets in 63 Tests for England, said he would like to see Virdi playing in the first international fixtures after COVID-19 shutdown.
He signed off by saying, “I like Virdi being in there because he's one that England need to potentially develop in the spin bowling department. Dom Bess did well in South Africa I was out in South Africa for talkSPORT you had troubles with Jack Leach which is disappointing for Jack and hopefully, he's come over them.”
(With PTI Inputs)
