Agency :
England captain Joe Root confirmed that all-rounder Moeen Ali will miss the final two Tests against India – in Ahmedabad – as he has opted to return home and be with his family. Jonny Bairstow and Mark Wood return to the 17-man squad that ECB have named for the third Test in Ahmedabad, starting from February 24.
All multi-format players were told they would have family time out of the bubble at some stage during the three months away. Moeen’s time period was after the second Test against India. The decision on the timeframe was taken ahead of the tour but given his success here he was asked if he wanted his family time now or later on in the tour.
“From the squad, Moeen is the only one going home,” Root said after England’s defeat in the second Test at Chepauk. “With Moeen, it wasn’t more asking if he wanted to stay, it was a decision he had chosen. Of course we wanted as many players available for as long as possible, but you also want them to be very comfortable here and for Mo, he obviously wants to be at home with his family and we completely understand that.
Moeen has had a tough few months, arriving in Sri Lanka and contracting covid-19 and left to spend a lot of time away from the action. Moeen missed the first Test of the ongoing series too, before featuring in the second game where he picked eight wickets (four in each innings) and finished with an entertaining 18-ball 43 laced with five sixes.
“If you look at this tour, it’s been a really difficult one for him, having covid, being in his room for such long periods of time, and I think we’ve come to a point where he wants to get out of the bubble. That’s absolutely fair enough. I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision for him, but it’s one we completely respect and understand.”
The second Test in Chennai was Moeen’s first since taking a break after being axed from the Test side during the 2019 Ashes series at home. With the all-rounder headed back home, questions were raised whether the 33-year-old had played his last Test for the national side. Root, however, dismissed that notion.
“Why would it be Moeen’s last Test match? I thought he actually got better as the game went on and showed everyone he’s got skills to perform at this level. It [the decision to go home] means that he’s not going to play a further part out here but I don’t see why that closes the door on him entirely,” Root opined.
