ALI'S BIG MOMENT

Turnaround in fortunes puts rare milestone in spinner's sights

- DEAN WILSON

MOEEN ALI could join another elite group of Test cricketers this week after being promoted to England’s Ashes No.3. 

Ali only needs 23 more runs to complete the 3,000 runs and 200 wickets double.

And while he will have plenty of time to get there in his new batting spot at Old Trafford, it won’t be easy if it is against a new ball and fresh Aussie bowlers.

He would become just the fourth Englishman to reach that landmark after Lord Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff and Stuart Broad.

One thing is for sure though, he will get there his own way by playing the same free-spirited cricket he has always played.

Only this time the off-spinning all-rounder has the full backing of coach Brendon ‘Baz’ McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.

“I think Baz wants me to play a few more shots,” he said, reflecting on his move to the spot in the second innings at Headingley. “I was probably better off playing a few more shots.