- 1,612
- 9
- 38
England could have gone with the spinners that played most recently in Pakistan in Ahmed and Jacks. They could have gone with the dependable left-armer Liam Dawson, the most like-for-like replacement for Leach and someone who claimed a six-wicket haul in his previous first-class game, for Hampshire in May.
But instead they have gone for a mix of experience and excitement in Moeen, giving them a player who could change the game with bat and ball and giving that player, who turns 36 during the first Test at Edgbaston, a final ride in Ashes cricket.
Watch The Ashes live on Cricket from Friday June 16. Coverage from Edgbaston begins at 9.30am ahead of the first ball at 11am. You can also follow in-play clip and text commentary across