Follow UsMoeen Ali, who got a surprise promotion to No.3 in the second innings of the Headingley Test, admitted that batting in the top-order against Australia will be a ‘challenging’ prospect, but asserted that, all things considered, him batting at No.3 is perhaps the ‘best thing’ for the team right now.
With Ollie Pope injured, England promoted Harry Brook to No.3 in the first innings at Headingley, but the tactic backfired as the youngster fell for 3. To keep Brook at No.5 — his best position — in the second innings, Moeen came up the order on Day 4 and though the left-hander failed to make a significant impact individually — perishing for 5 — the promotion proved to be a win overall as Brook, batting in his original spot, struck a sizzling 75 that took the Three Lions over the line.
Speaking ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Moeen attested that him batting at No.3 will benefit the side, for it will then enable Brook to carry on at No.5, his best position.
"It's obviously going to be challenge batting No 3 against Australia with the best bowling attack in the world," Moeen said on Monday.
I'm looking forward to it.
"I think Brook is a great player and will be a great player. I just personally feel like five is great for him and the impact he can have at five is much more than what he can probably do at three, at the moment.
"I'm not saying he won't be a good No 3 I just feel right now for the team it's probably best that I go three.
"I do enjoy batting three, the challenge of batting three. I think for the team right now it's the best thing.
"I'm looking forward to playing against these guys and getting challenged. I know it's not easy because they are obviously very good."
At Headingley, Moeen managed only 5 off 15 balls batting at No.3 but he stated that he’ll bat with positivity and aggression in the fourth Test should he manage to get his eye in.
"If I feel like I'm going in and I'm playing well I might be aggressive. If they're bowling well I might not be aggressive - I'll try and bat as properly as I can," Moeen said.
Jimmy Anderson, who did not feature at Headingley, misfired in the first two Tests, taking 3 wickets at 75.33, but with Ollie Robinson rested, the 40-year-old has been recalled for the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
There are question marks over Anderson’s form and rhythm, but Moeen, in no uncertain terms, stated that the Three Lions ‘are a better team with Anderson’.
"There's no doubt England are a better team with James Anderson in there," Moeen said. "In the two games he played I actually thought he bowled really well in both of them.
"I think he's been a bit unfortunate with catches and things probably not going his way.
"Being the best bowler England have ever had and being a legend of a player and a great guy as well, it's great to see him have the opportunity to play, it could be his last one, and hopefully he bowls well and gets us the win."
England won at Headingley, but they’ll still need to win both the remaining Tests in order to win the series and reclaim the Ashes. Moeen revealed that the dressing room 100% believes that 3-2 can be attained.
"I think I think we've challenged the number one team in the world and we've gone toe to toe with them," he said. "At crucial times they've managed to win that battle but I don't think we're far off.
"All the games have been fantastic but the belief in the changing room is that we can win this series, 3-2 and there's no doubt we have that."