ENG vs IND: Moeen Ali recalled in England squad for Lords Test

In a bid to fix the vulnerable batting order, England have included all-rounder Moeen Ali to their squad for the second Test against India at Lords, beginning on August 12. The England batting has crumbled of late and barring Joe Root, none of the batsmen has been able to resist quality bowling.

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A statement from the England Cricket Board revealed that Moeen will start training with the squad from Tuesday. With Ben Stokes pulling out of the series, England are lacking a genuine all-rounder and Moeen Ali is someone who can fill up the shoes. He is a very handy batsman and has a fantastic record against Indian batters in Tests.

On Monday, England Coach Chris Silverwood said that Moeen has been under the consideration in the absence of Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes.

"Moeen is certainly under consideration. He's always been part of our consideration.We know he is a fine cricketer and we know he is showing fine form in the Hundred at the moment, though I appreciate it's a different format.

"All-rounders such Ben Stokes or Chris Woakes usually give you options all-round. Unfortunately, we've found ourselves squeezed through circumstance recently and we haven't been able to do that," Silverwood had said.

Moeen is currently leading Birmingham Phoenix in ’The Hundred’ and has been in magnificent form with the bat. The southpaw last represented England in whites in February against India in the second Test. However, he was sent back to England owing to England’s rotation policy and was not selected for the series against New Zealand and the first Test against India.