Moeen Ali has been picked in England’s Playing XI for the opening Test of the Ashes against Australia to be played from Friday, June 16 at the Edgbaston in Birmingham.
The English spinner recently came out of Test retirement to partake in Ashes 2023 after Jack Leach ruled out of the five-match Test series. He last played Test cricket for England in September 2021 during India’s tour of England.
The stage is set.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 14, 2023
📍 Edgbaston, Birmingham pic.twitter.com/eNG2aR2FqR
Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley will open the innings for England. Ollie Pope, who scored a double hundred in the Test against Ireland, will bat at No.3 with former England captain Joe Root batting at No.4.
Meanwhile, England has decided to rest their pacer Mark Wood and give Stuart Broad the opportunity to challenge the likes of David Warner and Steve Smith with the new ball once again.
England Playing XI for 1st Test:
Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson
