England is set to face Australia in the five-match Test series from June 16 at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. Ahead of the prestigious series England cricket board asked veteran spinner Moeen Ali to make a comeback from retirement to participate in the series. However, the decision didn’t go well with the former England cricketer Mark Butcher.
Butcher in his recent interview slammed ECB for hyping Ali and said that they haven’t called Michael Jordan from retirement. He said, “I’m slightly baffled by the whole thing. There’s a lot of hope going on. Jack Leach, is a holding bowler for Ben Stokes right? Moeen Ali has never been a holding bowler in his entire career and has not played any red-ball cricket for two years. His Ashes record is pretty bad with bat and ball, and he has had no interest in playing long-form cricket ever since his retirement.”
“It’s not like you’re bringing Michael Jordan out of retirement, is it? You’re not bringing somebody back who had a Botham’s Ashes in 1981, you’re bringing back someone who’s kind of done okay at times, and those times were a very long time ago,” Butcher added. Notably, Ali has had a decent performance in Ashes as he has scored 476 runs and has picked just 11 wickets against Australia.
“Australia will win 5-0”, predicts Glen McGrath
Ahead of the prestigious tournament, the war of words has intensified between former players and experts from both countries. Former Australia pacer Glen McGrath praised his team and said that Australia will clean sweep against England. “It (WTC) was a perfect lead-up for Australia into the Ashes, gives them a lot of confidence and to play in the conditions. So, I think they are in a good spot. England, there’s a lot of talk about Bazball and I’m a big fan.”
“I like that backing yourself, going out there, being positive, fourth innings to go out and play your shot, it’s an aggressive mindset, and if you can get on top of the bowlers, you can score runs quickly and put the pressure back on them. My prediction is 5-nil,” McGrath further added. Notably, Australia thrashed England in their last series at home by 4-0. The duo of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum will be keen for revenge.
Here is how fans react to Mark Butcher’s comments:
Bodies Bazball and Moeen was a little below average test batter and average test bowler at best.
— Buttlerian.63 (@50av150srt20iOP) June 14, 2023
Can understand England bringing him back being an experienced player and also his batting suits their approach. But the hype is way too much
— Raam venky (@raamvenky) June 14, 2023
In rencent times Stokesy barely seems to male any bad decisions. This gonna pay off, too
— Slick Daddy (@Banstyle93) June 14, 2023
I don't think michael jordan would have bowled better than MO
— Usman (@coliescheri) June 14, 2023
Cowdrey has passed away, Couldn't recall him like in 70s
— VG (@vg123e) June 14, 2023
Eng taking the ind route rather than going for their best/proper spinner.
— Golden Duck Cricket Analysis (@DuckAnalysis) June 14, 2023
He will be retired again before 3rd test
— Scott milini (@scott_milini) June 14, 2023
Bodied BazBall
— ivan (@kohlifer) June 14, 2023
he's gonna get battered
— zerosun91 (@zerosun91) June 14, 2023
Haha that’s pretty funny from Butcher.
— Mparadisis (@Mparadisis2) June 14, 2023
Paiso ka bhuka…
— Sarang Patil??| ?? (@DevSarang03) June 14, 2023
