3 selection puzzles that England need to solve during the South Africa T20I series

3. Is Moeen Ali a liability?

We have to concede that Moeen Ali is a mere shadow of his former self. For the past few years, his confidence has gradually waned until he is no longer the irresistible force he once was. One could even state that Moeen Ali is the sole weak link in a side with unassailable depth in batting and bowling. Can England really afford to support his constantly below-par performances?

England have to make a cold-hearted and emotionless decision on whether Moeen Ali’s time has to come to an abrupt end, agonisingly close to a World Cup.

However, it is important to acknowledge just how essential a firing Moeen Ali is to England; at his best he offers 4 overs of top-class off-spin while blasting a few in the latter overs. An in-form Ali could potentially be the answer to England’s finisher conundrum and also eradicate the need for Buttler to be shifted down the order. Perhaps all England need to show some support and backing Moeen Ali during this series. Maybe he would miraculously emerge as a rejuvenated player and as an essential cog in England’s T20 world cup bid. It would definitely be worth a try!

Looking forward to the T20 World Cup, it will be vital to have two spin bowling options in the dust bowls of India. Being a spin-bowling all-rounder, Moeen Ali would be a priceless commodity as his presence would add depth and poise to the batting in pressure scenarios while simultaneously providing valuable overs in spin-friendly conditions. His inclusion would also reduce the need of playing an inexperienced and potentially overawed spinner: this could prove fatal in a must-win game. If he could nail his role in the world cup, he will essentially be 2 players in 1 and that could be tournament-defining!

In all, England have to decide if Ali is far too valuable to drop, considering the World Cup in India, and attempt to resurrect his obvious class during the South Africa series. Or are they going to go down the route of dropping him in the belief that his poor form could seriously cost them down the line?

England have some serious thinking to do!

Written by Rahul Palaninathan