Where would Moeen Ali bat in your world XI?

[GIMH]

It's the million dollar question innit? The Flintoff debate post-05; you ain't putting him in your top six but his place is not up for discussion so where are you slotting him into the batting?

The beauty is that if you feel the need for a second spinner like Ajmal or Lyon, you can do so because Ali takes the all-rounder role

 

[Flametree]

There's only one decent opener at the moment so he can go there?

More seriously, I'd have de Villiers keeping and in the top 6, so he can bat at 7 like Duminy does for South Africa.

 

[91Jmay]

He'd be batting 8 for England at the moment for me, but World XI he is the 7 ABdV is still keeping).

Warner
Rogers
Kumar
Amla
Clarke
AB de Villiers
Mandatory Moeen
Johnson
Harris
Steyn
Ajmal

Get down.

 

[viriya]

Need a place for Angelo in there.

 

[91Jmay]

Need a place for Angelo in there.

Nah not for me. In a group with Faf, Williamson, Bravo, Root as very good but tier below players.

 

[morgieb]

Make de Villiers take the gloves, put Moeen at 7.

 

[viriya]

Nah not for me. In a group with Faf, Williamson, Bravo, Root as very good but tier below players.

Disrespectful to a guy who averages 100 this year.

 

[NZTailender]

He'd be lucky to carry the drinks tbf

(Ali that is)

 

[Cabinet96]

Not sure you can justify any opener other than Warner in a world XI tbh. I'd rather have Amla opening to fit a Mathews/Rahane type in.

 

[Spikey]

dont need moeen weve got smith in there already

 

[Maximas]

The beauty is that if you feel the need for a second spinner like Ajmal or Lyon, you can do so because Ali takes the all-rounder role

**** off

Angelo would certainly be making world XIs if his bowling was consistently decent, but he's making a good case for himself as a pure batsman this year, if he succeeds in NZ he moves up a tier as a batsman IMO

 

[Maximas]

Mooen bats 7 as part of a 5 man 2 spinner attack with AB batting in the top 6 btw

 

[Dan]

1. Mathews
2. Pujara
3. Sangakkara
4. Amla
5. Williamson
6. de Villiers +
7. Smith *
8. Broad
9. Johnson
10. Steyn
11. Ajmal

12. Moeen


Who needs specialist openers?

 

[smash84]

the only place he can try out for is opening.

No other place for him in a world XI. Just like Flintoff didn't have in 2005 and post

 

[91Jmay]

Disrespectful to a guy who averages 100 this year.

No, he doesn't. He averages 78.08 which is less than Root (78.50) and not a million miles away from Williamson (64.77).

To be clear, I don't think Ali should be in any World XI I was just humoring the thread.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Funny thread. Back in all seriousness, surely Watling has to be at 7 since ABDV isn't keeping.

Also I'm surprised that no one's mentioned Shakib - better than both Moeen and Smith at batting and bowling.

 

[Maximas]

No, he doesn't. He averages 78.08 which is less than Root (78.50).

Averages about 85 as captain which covers a slightly longer period

 

[91Jmay]

Averages about 85 as captain which covers a slightly longer period

Yeah he has no doubt been playing very well, but not World team quality yet. More proven players ahead of him at the moment, he is also riding the captaincy wave which can happen right at the start, I'd be shocked if he maintains a career average above 50. Would expect it to be around 48 most the time.

 

[viriya]

I think he's good enough for 50+.. very good vs pace so expect him to do well in away tours.. and decent vs spin. Think he needs to figure out how to get big scores though - SL will need that especially after Mahela retires.

He's definitely in a purple patch right now but it's not like any captain bar Bradman has had this kind of run..

 

[91Jmay]

I think he's good enough for 50+.. very good vs pace so expect him to do well in away tours.. and decent vs spin. Think he needs to figure out how to get big scores though - SL will need that especially after Mahela retires.

He's definitely in a purple patch right now but it's not like any captain bar Bradman has had this kind of run..

The last sentence is more proving my point than anything, the drop off is bound to come. If he comes through this series and the next two averaging 50, then he belongs firmly in the conversation.