Moeen admits spot as No1 spinner under threat

By Chris Stocks

Moeen Ali admits his position as England’s leading spinner is under threat after Adil Rashid’s performances so far during this series in India.

Rashid was the leading wicket-taker across both teams heading into the fourth Test in Mumbai with 18 Indian scalps.
It means the Yorkshire leg-spinner could displace Moeen from the Test side next summer unless he cements his position as a top-order batsman.

Asked if Rashid was now putting his status as England’s No1 spinner under threat, Moeen admitted: “Yes. He’s a quality spinner. It’s just a matter of time really.

“He’s obviously bowling really well, and I’m really happy for him. He deserves it and I think his confidence is going to grow, the more he plays.

“The three back-to-back games were good for him, because he’s got into a rhythm, just comes out, doesn’t think about it and lands it on a spot pretty much straightaway.

“They’ve played him quite well, but he’s picking up wickets.”

Moeen then would like to be given a batting position he can call his own having been used from one to nine so far for England in Tests.

“I was down to bat five from Bangladesh onwards, but form or balance of the side meant I was pushed up to four and then three in the last innings in Mohali,” he said. “Obviously, I don’t mind but close in the future, I’d like to have a position I can try to nail down.”

Moeen admits his easy-going nature perhaps doesn’t always help him, saying: “Probably yes. I’ve been told sometimes that’s not a good thing.

“But I just get on with it, whatever they tell me. I’ve always been like that, even from a youngster.

“Only once my dad pulled me out of a club game [for Moseley Ashfield] when I was told I was batting seven. He said ‘No, you’re not batting seven’. But since then I’ve just got on with it.”

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