Moeen Ali '100%' expecting to be targeted by Australia in Ashes, says Ben Stokes only captain he would have returned for

Moeen Ali says he wouldn’t have returned to Test cricket for any other England captain than Ben Stokes – and is expecting Australia to “come after” him in the Ashes. Mooen has been included in the squad for the first two matches against Australia after coming out of Test retirement. Ad The all-rounder, 35, hasn’t played a Test since September 2021 but is back in the fold after Jack Leach suffered an injury that ruled him out of the series.

CricketWomen’s Ashes 2023 squad announced as Cross included after recovery from illnessYESTERDAY AT 12:12 Moeen has revealed how Stokes, who was his team-mate at Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League earlier this year, contacted him before he knew about Leach’s injury. «Stokesy messaged me with a question mark — 'Ashes?',» said Moeen. «I just said 'LOL', thinking he was taking the mick.

»The news came through and I had a chat with him. That was it. «To be part of it is amazing.

It's such a big series and the guys have been playing exciting cricket.» England have won 11 of their last 13 Test matches under Stokes’ captaincy. «I've obviously spent a lot of time with Stokesy during the IPL,» added Moeen. Australia crush India to win World Test Championship England announce squad for Women's Ashes «He didn't mention anything about coming out of retirement, it was just about the Ashes and how he was looking to take the team.

He obviously watched me train out there and thinks I can bowl decently.» Asked if he would have returned to the Test arena for any other captain, Moeen said: «Probably not, no. »It is a free hit. I'm not playing for my spot.