Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Moeen Ali slams cricket’s “horrible” schedule | England cricketer Moeen on the cricket schedule
All-rounder Moeen Ali has slammed cricket’s crowded schedule as England prepare to face Australia in a three-match ODI series just days after winning the T20 World Cup.
On Sunday, England lifted their second T20 title – and first since 2010 – after defeating Pakistan in front of 80,462 fans at the MCG. In the process, they became the first men’s team to simultaneously hold both the ODI and T20 World Cups.
However, like in 2019, England moved straight onto the next task, with very little time to savour the winning moment. This was at the forefront of Moeen Ali’s mind, who blasted administrators’ decision making.
“It’s been happening for a while; when we won in 2019, we had the Ashes two weeks later and a Test match against Ireland 10 days after winning,” said Moeen on Sunday.
“Those kind of things are a shame. As a group, we want to enjoy and celebrate and have that because you put so much into it as well.
“It’s not just while the tournament’s going on, it’s pre-tournament, your build-up and all that.”
Cricket’s packed schedule: Having a game in 3 days is horrible – Moeen
The all-rounder went on to say that giving 100 per cent all the time is difficult given the sheer nature of cricket’s unrelenting schedule.
“Having a game in three days’ time is horrible, but it’s better than two days if it got rained off.”
“As players we’re kind of used to it now. But to give 100 per cent all the time is difficult when you’re playing every two or three days.
“Well, we have to do it and while we’re here we might as well do it — it would be better than going back and then having to come back out another time,” said Moeen.
England’s series against Australia not part of ODI Super League
England’s three-match series is not part of the ODI Super League. So, the games are essentially friendlies. Such meaningless games have brought about a wider discussion around the future of cricket, with over a third of fans saying that ODIs will be dead by 2037 according to recent survey.
Travis Head, who was named in Australia’s squad for the England series, said he expects the tourists to find it difficult to get up for the series.
“No doubt it will be hard for them,” Head told reporters at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday. “They’ve come off a huge high. It’s going to be tough for them, but then again you’re playing for your country.”
“That’s a personal thing, and guys go about it in different ways.”
The ODI series kicks off on Thursday, November 17 at 2:20pm local time at Adelaide Oval.
