‘Cannot see how that can heal by next Wednesday’ – Ian Healy doubtful of Moeen Ali’s inclusion for Lord’s Test following finger injury

Ian Healey and Moeen Ali. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Following England’s narrow defeat against Australia in the Ashes opener in Birmingham, former Australian cricketer Ian Healy expressed his concerns about the availability of all-rounder Moeen Ali. The veteran English cricketer sustained a finger injury during the series opener and is a doubt for the upcoming Lord’s Test.

England skipper Ben Stokes’ decision to recall Moeen Ali out of retirement seemingly backfired in the first Test of the series at Edgbaston. The senior cricketer struggled for control in the latter stages of the match due to blisters on his finger. Moeen’s injury was a testament to his lack of red-ball cricket over the last couple of years.

Former Australian cricketer Ian Healey feels that the all-rounder won’t be fit enough to play the next Test, given his condition, and even if he did feature for the home side, he won’t have the desired impact with the ball. He further hinted at using Joe Root as the sole spin-bowling option in the upcoming Test.

“No, he still won’t be any good in a week’s time. The top of his spinning finger is off, the whole skin is totally off. So, I cannot see how that can heal and not be painful by next Wednesday and get any practice in during the week.

Liam Dawson being a replacement type, Adil Rashid being a leg-spinner, or stick with just Joe Root. I think that would be a good Test of their confidence to see how they go there in replacing Moeen because I can’t see how he could play confidently again next Wednesday,” Healy said during an interaction on the SEN podcast ‘Dwayne’s World’.

The only change I would make would be a forced change if someone has got a niggle: Healy

Talking about the playing combination of Australia for the second Test, Healy refrained from making any changes to the starting eleven, leaving Mitchell Starc on the bench for a second successive match. He reckoned that Australia will only make a change if someone has a niggle or an injury.

“I am not making a change. The only change I would make would be a forced change if someone has got a niggle or someone might need a little more time to get out of that match. These matches go right to the end of Day 5, they are really tiring,” he added.