Moeen Ali shares amusing interaction with Ben Stokes in relation to making his comeback for Ashes 2023

After filling in for the injured Jack Leach as part of the Ashes team for the first two Tests, England all-rounder Moeen Ali looks set to make a stunning comeback to Test cricket. Due to a stress fracture that occurred in his back, the left-arm spin has been forced to withdraw from competitive play.

Captain Ben Stokes as well as coach Brendon McCullum persuaded Ali to come back to the team. Nearly two years ago, the seasoned all-rounder announced his retirement from Test cricket. He did, however, reveal the talk he had with Stokes, which had psychologically prepared him to return to the grind.

I had a chat with him: Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali wanted to share about his chat with Ben Stokes when he spoke to the media before the Ashes. He said, “Stokesy messaged me with a question mark: ‘Ashes?’ I hadn’t heard the news on Leachy at the time so I just said ‘LOL’, thinking he’s taking the mick. Then the news came through and I had a chat with him. That was it.”

Additionally, the Chennai Super Kings spinner described how Stokes had explained to him how the kind of cricket England plays in Test matches compares to the manner the all-rounder bats. He said, “I spoke to Stokesy about how he talks to batters and he said, ‘Look, it would be perfect for the way you play’. There are no question marks over any shots you play which gives me license to play a few more rash shots, I guess.”

Moeen Ali acknowledged that Jack Leach may have more control over his off-spin than he does. The all-rounder, though, makes it very obvious that Stokes as well as McCullum are fully aware of his strengths and how to use them. He said, “I know I go for runs but Stokesy also knows there are some wicket-taking deliveries in between. I have never been able to hold an end up. When I have, it’s when I’ve been taking wickets. That’s the only time I have been able to build any kind of pressure. Ben and Baz [McCullum] know that.”