Moeen Ali has decided to take a short break from the game after being dropped from England’s Test side for the Lord’s Test. He returned with the poor figures of 3/172 in the Ashes opener at Edgbaston where his counterpart Nathan Lyon picked nine wickets across two innings. Rather, the southpaw has been struggling with the bat and ball in Tests for a long time now.

Even in the World Cup which England won last month, Moeen was dropped from the playing XI halfway through the tournament and never returned. His form has deserted to quite an extent and for a decent period of time now which led to him losing his place in the whites as well. The selectors preferred Jack Leach as the lone-spinner in the 12-man squad and is set to replace him in the team for the second Test against Australia.

Post the break, Moeen Ali is expected to return to play for his county Worcestershire and the coach of the team Alex Gidman confirmed the news as well. However, he also felt that the cricketer deserves the rest after the hectic summer and is looking forward to him making a comeback.

We completely respect

“Mo is spending a little time away from the middle recharging his batteries and putting in some quality practice time which he feels he needs, and we completely respect. He has had an intense schedule of international cricket involving the ICC World Cup and the start of the Ashes.

“Mo loves playing for Worcestershire and he gives a lift to everyone in the dressing room when he comes back and plays for us. We saw at Trent Bridge (in the Blast) what he gives to us and we look forward to when he returns soon,” Gidman said according to Worcestershire’s official website.

Moeen Ali averages around 16 in last 16 Tests and hasn’t been as effective with the ball as well. He would be now keen to make a comeback by scoring runs at the domestic circuit after a short break.