Joe Root Apologizes To Moeen Ali As The Allrounder Returns To England

Joe Root has apologized to Moeen Ali for saying he the allrounder has 'chosen' to go back home after playing just one test against India. According to a report in Mirror, Root issued an apol

Joe Root has apologized to Moeen Ali for saying the allrounder has 'chosen' to go back home after playing just one test against India. 

According to a report in Mirror, Root issued an apology to Ali in the team hotel after calling his pre-agreed departure from the India tour a 'choice' and leaving him open to unfair criticism.

Moeen Ali was England's highest scorer and wicket-taker in the 2nd test match. He took eight wickets in the match and scored an entertaining 43 off 18 balls in the second innings, he was close to breaking the world record of fastest test fifty. 

“Moeen has chosen to go home,” said Root originally. “It’s obviously been a very tricky tour for him.

“Of course we wanted as many players available for as long as possible, but you also want them to be very comfortable here. I think we’ve come to a point where he wants to get out of the bubble. That’s absolutely fair enough. I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision for him, but it’s one we completely respect and understand.” Rood had said. 

 

Ali's 'chosen' break from cricket incurred a lot of criticism from the former cricketers resulting in England's rotation policy coming under fire.

I thought Test cricket was the main priority after 2019 to make sure England try and get back the Ashes !!!!! Why is it then that the Test team is being swapped & changed every week but the T20 team are at full strength !!!!! Moeen now off home after 1 Test in 18 months !!!

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 16, 2021

Jos Buttler too had left the test series after the first test while Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes were rested for England's tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year. Jonny Bairstow was given rest for the first two test matches against India, who will now be joining the team from the third test onwards. 

Moeen Ali is expected to be back for the limited-overs series against India next month. England is scheduled to play a five-match t20 series and three ODIs after completing the four-match test series.