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[Seniorplayer]

Broad is still bad at batting but not as bad as he was. Mo is still terrible vs the short ball! Did you not see him get badged several times a game (I think he had one game when it was a featherbed when he was able to hit with impunity but anything with life in and he was screwed, good luck mo in Sa and Aus. Take a few new helmets fella). He's not good enough for test cricket (as a batsmen), and isn't a good spinner so yes, he's a cracking 8/9 but it does t mean he's any good! And certainly is taking up an actual spinners spot

Although correct he's young in test match terms and still learning hes okay as a  no 8 or 9 and 2nd spin option.

[Neon Cricket]

I can't possibly see why people are still against Moeen Ali - third highest England run scorer and joint second highest England wicket taker, is that not enough?!?

[Buzz]

Possibly worth mentioning than Moeen's bowling return was better than Ashley Giles in 2005 (2 more wickets) at the same sort of average and that he only took 2 less wickets than Swann did in 2012.

The key difference is the 4.5 runs per over issue that he has - but you have to remember batsmen these days are far more aggressive to take on a spinner than at any time in cricket history. Comparing Ali to Giles is a much more reasonable comparison and he is a far far better batsman.

[northernboy1987]

I can't possibly see why people are still against Moeen Ali - third highest England run scorer and joint second highest England wicket taker, is that not enough?!?

I don't think people are against his performances as such, it's more the thinking behind his selection that does it for me, he's performed pretty well you can't argue that but in my opinion (not that it means much!) he's not the best spinner in the country and if he's batting at 8 that says to me that the selectors don't think he's one of the best middle order batsmen in the country either so I'm just not 100% convinced he should be in the test side. I think Rashid is the better spinner (I know not everyone agrees!) and think he is probably capable of scoring close to as many runs at 8 as Moeen.

Just my two pence to sum up I like Moeen I just like Rashid a little bit more haha

[Neon Cricket]

Comparing Ali to Giles is a much more reasonable comparison and he is a far far better batsman.

It's a fair comparison - Ali clearly the better player so far

Don't forget what Swann's bowling was like originally too, he wasn't a world beater at first...

Just my two pence to sum up I like Moeen I just like Rashid a little bit more haha

I'm massively bias anyway (Worcester born and bred!) but personally I just don't like Rashid - his attitude always seems pretty poor and I'm not convinced by his bowling at all

Saying that he'll probably go and get a shedload of wickets in the UAE now 

[northernboy1987]

Just to add to my last post, I personally wouldn't necessarily have a problem with Moeen batting up the order primarily as a batsman but also as a 2nd spin option if the pitch was turning but I think Rashid deserves a go as the main test spinner.

[northernboy1987]

I'm massively bias anyway (Worcester born and bred!) but personally I just don't like Rashid - his attitude always seems pretty poor and I'm not convinced by his bowling at all

Saying that he'll probably go and get a shedload of wickets in the UAE now 

To be fair being northern I probably have a slight bias to players from Yorkshire and Durham  In the UAE I'd like Rashid at 8 as main spinner and Moeen perhaps at 5 with Bairstow/Buttler as keeper at 7. Gets the two spinners in without weakening the batting. I know some may say drop your seaming all rounder and use Moeen at 6 as a spinning all rounder but once again as a northerner I can't drop Stokes 

[Rob580]

I personally like Moeen, and think he'll do better than Rashid in the UAE, purely because Rashid bowls too slowly. If we saw anything last time England went to the UAE, he faster your spinner bowls, the better they do there, as the pitches do seem to facilitate quick turn. Ajmal was all over England (some of the was down to him throwing it enormously) but a fair bit of it was down to the pace he bowled.

Ali is learning quickly, and has picked up plenty of wickets without really playing on any spin friendly surfaces, and hence he's gotten his wickets through the length he's bowled and a small amount of turn.

[ppccopener]

I personally like Moeen, and think he'll do better than Rashid in the UAE, purely because Rashid bowls too slowly. If we saw anything last time England went to the UAE, he faster your spinner bowls, the better they do there, as the pitches do seem to facilitate quick turn. Ajmal was all over England (some of the was down to him throwing it enormously) but a fair bit of it was down to the pace he bowled.

Ali is learning quickly, and has picked up plenty of wickets without really playing on any spin friendly surfaces, and hence he's gotten his wickets through the length he's bowled and a small amount of turn.

Cant see Ajmal being as much of a threat now he has to bowl legally and good point about Ali's pace, he looks like he is improving as a spinner and it's an ABSOLUTE luxury having him bat at 8 this summer

Really....he's a key part of us and a vital player, can't believe his place ever gets questioned.
He may open in the UAE if we don't stick with Lyth or pick Hales but long term will be a very good middle order player.

[Buzz]

Really....he's a key part of us and a vital player, can't believe his place ever gets questioned.
He may open in the UAE if we don't stick with Lyth or pick Hales but long term will be a very good middle order player.

This - and I will point you back to my suggested team for the UAE...

Cook, Hales, Root, Davies (ok I get that Taylor may be next in line), Ali, Stokes, Buttler, Ansari, Rashid, Broad, Anderson.
Masses of batting, three seamers and three spinners - all who do different things. We need Ansari as the dot ball bowler to the extravagance of Rashid or Ali.

[northernboy1987]

This - and I will point you back to my suggested team for the UAE...

Cook, Hales, Root, Davies (ok I get that Taylor may be next in line), Ali, Stokes, Buttler, Ansari, Rashid, Broad, Anderson.
Masses of batting, three seamers and three spinners - all who do different things. We need Ansari as the dot ball bowler to the extravagance of Rashid or Ali.

That's an interesting line up Buzz, I like the inclusion of Ansari he looks like becoming a really good player with both bat and ball. I think Taylor has to be next in line for whichever upper middle order place becomes available whether he bats 3 and Root 4 or vice versa. I worry about Hales though, there's no doubting his ball striking ability which will be great on the UAE slow low pitches but will he cope with Steyn et al on quick SA pitches? Although to be fair, will anyone else who partners Cook!

[Aussie In England]

Bits and pieces players like Ali, Stokes and Rashid will get exposed in the Middle East. Pakistan might not have Ajmal or Rehman anymore, but England can't play spin for toffee. So Pakistan will pick 2/3 decent spinners and skittle England every time. Ali and Rashid will be buffet bowling for batsmen like Younus and Misbah.

[northernboy1987]

Bits and pieces players like Ali, Stokes and Rashid will get exposed in the Middle East. Pakistan might not have Ajmal or Rehman anymore, but England can't play spin for toffee. So Pakistan will pick 2/3 decent spinners and skittle England every time. Ali and Rashid will be buffet bowling for batsmen like Younus and Misbah.

Sorry but how did Australia get on in the UAE last time?

[ppccopener]

Bits and pieces players like Ali, Stokes and Rashid will get exposed in the Middle East. Pakistan might not have Ajmal or Rehman anymore, but England can't play spin for toffee. So Pakistan will pick 2/3 decent spinners and skittle England every time. Ali and Rashid will be buffet bowling for batsmen like Younus and Misbah.

I look forward to your posts, whatever you predict the opposite normally happens so i'm off down the bookies to put a monkey on England to win the series

it's all a bit Glenn Mcgrath 5-0 

[Aussie In England]

Sorry but how did Australia get on in the UAE last time?

We lost...but even a top quality spinner like Lyon was hammered. Ali is a club cricketer at best.