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Moeen Ali’s promotion in England’s batting order on the fourth day of the Third Ashes Test invited mixed reaction from the cricketing fraternity.
When play resumed on Sunday, 9 July, England needed 224 runs to win with all ten wickets safe. Australian Mitchell Stark trapped Ben Duckett in front of the wicket to draw first blood for the visitors as they looked to defend 251 runs at Headingley.
Moeen entered third ahead of Harry Brook, who battled for position in the first innings. The Yorkshire batsman was the first choice bat at number three after Ollie Pope was ruled out of the 2023 Ashes with a dislocated shoulder.
However, Brooke’s three runs off 11 balls in the first innings prompted the Seekers to adjust the batting order.
Ali, who was ranked third on six occasions between 2016 and 2018, added just five runs to chase down England’s moderate run. Starc penetrated the gap between his bat and pad to hit his stumps.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan predicted before today’s play that Ali would rise to the next level.
Many fans were left stunned on Twitter after Moeen Ali went out with a low score. Here are some Twitter reactions to this decision by England:
Moeen Ali’s performance at Ashes 2023 so far
Moeen Ali came out of retirement from Test cricket after nearly two years to replace the injured Jack Leach in England’s squad for the 2023 Ashes series. He scored 37 runs in his combined innings at Birmingham and returned with three wickets with the ball, including a double dismissal of Travis Head.
The Warwickshire all-rounder made 21 runs off 46 balls in the first innings of this Test. He claimed the main dismissals of Marnus Labuchan and Steve Smith at the end of day 2 to put Australia on the back foot going into their second innings.
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