Blow to ENG: All-rounder to miss first PAK ODI

England have received a major blow ahead of the first ODI against Pakistan. All-rounder Moeen Ali will miss the first game due to an injury to his rib cage. The team management has given signs that leg-spinner Joe Denly can replace Moeen in the playing XI.

Moeen Ali ti miss first ODI due to injury 

According to England coach Trever Bayliss, Moeen Ali has slightest of slight cracks in his rib cage after a ball hit him while batting in the IPL. Bayliss explained that Moeen is fine and once upon a time you wouldn’t have even got it x-rayed, because it’s only a bruise.

The England batsman had a decent run in the IPL 2019 where he featured for Royal Challengers Bangalore and was one of the rare shining lights of their abysmal campaign.

He scored 220 runs in 10 innings and had two half-centuries at a strike rate of 165.41. With the ball, he gave away just 6.76 runs per over in nine innings and claimed six wickets.

❌ The all-rounder will miss the game at the Oval due to a rib injury. ❌

Watch #ENGvPAK from 12.30pm, Wednesday on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event.

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) May 7, 2019

Denly a likely replacement for Ali

Bayliss added that they actually spoke about that if Moen didn’t play this first match but they have decided to give Denly a go this time.

The England coach feels that there will be a little bit of flexibility and he is sure there will be discussions ongoing throughout this series.

He also made it clear that they are looking at this series as an audition for players for the World Cup. He noted that if it was an important game and they really needed the core players to play, they would be playing, but there’s no real need. He made it clear that they are playing a bit safe but it gives them the chance to play some of the bench strength.

Also check who made it to the IPL XI 2019

England squad for Pakistan ODI series 

Eoin Morgan (c), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Chris Jordan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood