ECB rest everyone except Moeen ahead of India

Cricket365
June 26, 2014

England's top brass have decided to give all players who faced Sri Lanka in the recent Test series a break ahead of the five-match India series, all except for Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes.

While Woakes was in the squad for both Tests, he did not play, so his exception is not a surprise. But Moeen scored a century at Headingley that nearly saved the game, so this raises the question of his job security.

Head coach Peter Moores on Thursday said the fast bowlers were tired and hinted at possibly resting James Anderson and Stuart Broad at some point, though they will both be involved in the training camp.

The ECB website said: "England players involved in the recent Investec Test series against Sri Lanka will be rested from all cricket ahead of the India series other than Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes.

"Moeen will play in Worcestershire's LV= County Championship Division Two clash against Glamorgan from Sunday, while Woakes is available for Birmingham Bears' NatWest T20 Blast game versus Derbyshire Falcons and Warwickshire's championship fixture with Nottinghamshire.

"All other players will attend a training camp next week, with the squad for the 1st Investec Test against India likely to be announced once the next round of championship games have been completed."

The first Test against India starts on 9 July at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. India's player will compete in two warm up games ahead of that, against Leicestershire and Derbyshire.