ALI SHUFFLE

The race is on to fill Mo's spinning role

- DEAN WILSON

MOEEN ALI’S dramatic return for the Ashes has shown the value of a spinning all-rounder to this England set-up. 

The Worcestershire star weighed in with key wickets at The Oval and provided useful runs to top 3,000 in Test cricket, showing his decision to return was totally vindicated.

Now there are 16 Test matches for Ben Stokes’ side in 2024 and 21 Tests before the return Ashes series Down Under in 2025-26, giving England plenty of time to explore their options.

Jack Leach remains England’s leading spinner and will return in that role in the new year in India, but he will need some support on pitches that are likely to be extremely spin friendly.