Thursday 18 / April / 2024
London: England all-rounder Moeen Ali is expecting Australia's fast bowlers to try and unsettle him with short-pitched deliveries during the Ashes series later this year but the left-hander is confident he can survive the ordeal.
The elegant stroke-maker averages almost 35 from his 44 Tests, often stitching together valuable partnerships lower down the order for England.
But the 30-year-old, who also bowls off-spin, has been accused of possessing a batting technique that can be exposed by short-pitched bowling.
"It's something I've been working on and I'm looking forward to it," Moeen told reporters. "I feel when you get in, it's a good place to bat. The ball doesn't swing as much and hopefully whatever number I come in, I can express myself.
"I'm going to have to change a couple of things about the way I play but in terms of mindset, I'll just go and do what I normally do."
Moeen has been in sparkling form with both bat and ball this year, and was named man-of-the-series in England's 4-0 home victory over West Indies in their recent one-day international series.
Moeen was confident he could turn the short-pitched bowling against him into an opportunity when the five-Test series against Australia starts with the first match in Brisbane from November 23.
"The good thing is I've played against them before and I don't want to speak too early or too confident but I'll make sure I'm ready for it," Moeen said.
"Hopefully they'll get tired doing it (bowling the bouncer). But you get chances to score all the time with the short stuff and I'm going to work hard on that. I am very excited about it."
