Moeen Ali walked in Ashes tour game

Most Australian and English cricketers will be waiting for the umpire's verdict in this summer's Ashes series, but Moeen Ali isn't one of them.

England's Moeen Ali.

England's Moeen Ali trudges off after being dismissed against Cricket Australia XI. (AAP)

England allrounder Moeen Ali was desperate to spend some quality time in the middle during the weekend's Ashes tour game in Perth, but opted to walk nonetheless.

Moeen was the only member of the tourists' incumbent Test XI to play the two-day fixture against a Cricket Australia XI.

Moeen didn't bowl at Richardson Park because of a cut on his spinning finger, he only wanted some batting practice after falling to Nathan Lyon four times in the Test series.

The 30-year-old belted 47 runs off 41 balls in England's second innings, which spanned 20 overs as part of a contrived effort to force a result.

Saturday was Moeen's best chance to tune up for the third Test that starts in Perth on Thursday but he was caught behind for 24, having faced 36 deliveries.

Stuart Broad famously refused to walk after edging a ball to first slip during an Ashes Test at Trent Bridge in 2013.

Moeen is cut from a different cloth. He gave himself out on Saturday, trudging off after being trumped by young paceman Gabe Bell.

"I pretty much do that most of the time. I did nick it, it was a good ball actually," Moeen told reporters.

"It's something I always probably do."

Bell, who has played six first-class games, was understandably thrilled with Moeen's dismissal.

"I just thought it was a genuine edge so I ran through and got around the boys but someone said the umpire wasn't going to give it out then he walked off," the Tasmanian said.

"He's obviously a world-class player ... it's always good to get someone out of such high calibre."

Moeen will rest on Monday before attempting to bowl in the nets on Tuesday. The offspinner has captured two wickets at 98 in the Test series but is confident he will have more control at the WACA.

"I'm glad I didn't bowl the last couple of days ... I'll have a couple of days now of good bowling practice to get that back," he said.

"I feel like it's nearly there now, so I'm pretty confident it's going to be fine."

Moeen is also upbeat he found form with the bat on the weekend.

"It was a bit of a slog (on Sunday) but it was nice to just get a bit of rhythm going," he said.

"I've had some good chats with a couple of ex-coaches like Andy Flower ... (about) how to try and build an innings in Australia."


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world