England is preparing for the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, but there are concerns regarding all-rounder Moeen Ali’s fitness due to a blistered finger. England is considering options for cover in the event of Moeen’s absence, with Will Jacks considered the frontrunner to replace him.
Moeen was thrust into the team for the first Test at Edgbaston following Jack Leach’s injury and performed well, taking three wickets over the match. However, his spinning finger on his right hand ripped open and blistered early on, causing him to become more ragged as it wore on, which may rule him out of the next match.
England head coach Brendon McCullum is optimistic that Moeen can be ready for the second Test, but the team is already evaluating its other options. Jacks, who picked up a six-wicket haul on his debut, is seen as a like-for-like replacement for Moeen as an off-spinner, but a strong batting performance of Joe Root in the first Test could lead to England calling Liam Dawson for the variety of his left-arm orthodox.
If conditions suit, England may even pick four seamers but that would go against the principles displayed by Ben Stokes’s captaincy so far, with Leach playing his first 13 Tests in charge. Stokes himself has been struggling with fitness issues, including chronic tendonitis in his left knee, but he is encouraged by the seven-over spell he bowled on Tuesday.
While Moeen may have to sit out due to his injury, he was praised for his excellent performance in the first Test, with coach McCullum calling it fabulous. England will monitor Moeen over the next few days and hopefully, he’ll come right for the next match, but they are preparing for every eventuality.
