Moeen Ali or Adil Rashid for the 1st Ashes test?

[Aidan11]

It looks like it will be Moeen but I'm not sure it's the right call.

Mooen is a batsman who doubles up as a spinner but I think we'll need an out-an-out spinner for the Aussies and Rashid would be ideal. If he had been given a chance in the West Indies I think the decision would have been a no-brainer for the selectors.


I've got a feeling if results don't go to plan Rashid may well be in by the third test.

[Aidan11]

This board really is dead at the moment.



The poster who voted neither, I'd be interested to know their alternative.

[SaintPowelly]

I voted neither, don't think England need an attacking spinner, Root can do a holding job.

If I had to pick 1 or the other, I'd go for Moeen

[Alviro Patterson]

Adil Rashid - the Aussie quick bowlers are going to create footmarks in favourable areas for a leg spinner.

[DiligentDefence]

Rashid for me. Moeen has not been effective recently and I don't think Root is a serious option.

[from_the_stands]

Who are these clowns? Where's Monty?

[Aidan11]

He's too busy urinating over nightclub bouncers.

[Gingerfinch]

Pick the best spinner, whoever that is. I voted for Ali, as he has taken a few wickets in his short career.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Moeen, though both if there's a dry wicket that will spin. Moeen strikes me as the better spinner. Too much is expected of a single, lone spinner though. I'd have a low threshold for playing two.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looks like the board has come out emphatically behind Adil.

Would be strange if he didn't get a game in the WI, but played in a home Ashes series. But I guess as the coach has changed, maybe it is possible. Though Cook is still there, and he could be a factor.

[KipperJohn]

I've plumped for Rashid simply because he offers something different, gives it a tweak both ways and will have gained a lot of confidence from having a run in the onedayers. Looked relaxed and confident considering how much he's been mucked about.

[Aidan11]

Rashiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid

[from_the_stands]

I wouldn't be surprised if England went with both. As I see it, England are facing a rather daunting task going up against a rampaging Oz team. If they want to make it interesting by taking 20 Oz wickets in a match, go with 2 quality seamers in Anderson and Broad, and two decent spinners in Ali and Rashid. With Stokes, if he's bowling dross, give him the hook straight away. Rogers, Smith, Clarke and Voges handle spin pretty well, but the rest do not. Playing 2 spinners might be England's best chance. Australia will be able to turn to Steve Smith, so surely the England's brains trust (I realize that's a questionable phrase, but couldn't think of any other way to describe it,) must be thinking about it (yes, I did it again, I guess it's just not my day.)

[hopeforthebest]

I wouldn't be surprised if England went with both. As I see it, England are facing a rather daunting task going up against a rampaging Oz team. If they want to make it interesting by taking 20 Oz wickets in a match, go with 2 quality seamers in Anderson and Broad, and two decent spinners in Ali and Rashid. With Stokes, if he's bowling dross, give him the hook straight away. Rogers, Smith, Clarke and Voges handle spin pretty well, but the rest do not. Playing 2 spinners might be England's best chance. Australia will be able to turn to Steve Smith, so surely the England's brains trust (I realize that's a questionable phrase, but couldn't think of any other way to describe it,) must be thinking about it (yes, I did it again, I guess it's just not my day.)

Problem is that Moeen is not a quality spinner, he's still learning the art of spin. Even his county Worcestershire hardly let him bowl.

[braveneutral]

Pretty sure it will be one or the other. I think they will go the opposite way of how I voted.