England's star all-rounder Moeen Ali struggled with his finger injury in the Ashes 2023 series opener against Australia which the Ben Stokes-led side lost by two wickets at Edgbaston on Tuesday (June 20).
Moeen returned for the Ashes 2023 after calling it quits to Test cricket in 2021. England's team management asked Moeen to make a comeback to the Test fold for the fierce Ashes battle against Australia. Moeen came in as Jack Leach who suffered an injury and was not able to join the squad for the Ashes 2023. Moeen got the key wickets of Travis Head and Cameron Green in Australia's first innings but suffered a cut on his finger, seemingly from the friction of the seam when bowling with the new ball. After 18 overs Moeen was brought into the attack with the second new ball which was only nine year old. But shortly Moeen was seen spraying his hand in the outfield and later he had to go off the field to receive treatment.
Many thought Moeen won't come out to bat in England's second innings but he did and scored 19 off 31 to help hosts pose a 281-run target for Australia. Not only that he was also seen bowling in the final innings of the match and returned with a bowling figure of 57/1 in which he bowled a painful spell of 14 overs which earned him a prized wicket of Head. However his exploits went in vain as Australia went on to win the match by two wickets.
Having lost the first Test, Moeen has a week’s time to recover before the second Ashes Test which will be played from June 28 at Lord’s. Meanwhile, former Australian star wicketkeeper-batter Ian Healy in a stunning statement said that time will not be enough for Moeen to recover from the painful finger injury.
“Moeen Ali still won’t be any good in a week’s time. The top of his spinning finger is off, the whole skin is totally off. So, I cannot see how that can heal and not be painful by next Wednesday and get any practice in during the week,” said Healy.
Healy also proposed two names who can replace England's star all-rounder in the second Ashes Test. Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid are the two names he suggested.
“Liam Dawson being a replacement type, Adil Rashid being a leg-spinner, or stick with just Joe Root. I think that would be a good Test of their confidence to see how they go there in replacing Moeen because I can’t see how he could play confidently again next Wednesday,” Healy further added.
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