Saturday, January 3rd, 2015

Moeen Flying Out To Australia For Start Of Mouth-Watering Schedule

Moeen Flying Out To Australia For Start Of Mouth-Watering Schedule

Moeen Ali will fly out to Australia on Tuesday for the start of a major 12 months of cricket for England.

The Worcestershire all-rounder can look forward to playing in a World Cup, an Ashes series and against Test giants South Africa if all goes to plan.

It is a mouth-watering prospect for the 27-year-old who has impressed in his first 12 months of international cricket.

With other series against the West Indies and New Zeland, it is a hectic schedule for Moeen and all the other England players in 2015 – particularly those who play all formats of the game.

First on the agenda for Moeen is four matches in a Tri-Nations Series against Australia and India with the top two then contesting the final on February 2.

That will be followed in February and March with the ICC World Cup Down Under.

England will be looking to qualify for an initial group featuring Australia, New Zeland, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan for the latter stages of the competition.

Next up for Moeen and Co will be a three match away Test series against the West Indies through April and early May.

It was against the Windies that Moeen made his international breakthrough last February in ODI cricket, opening the innings in partnership with Michael Lumb.

There is no let up in the schedule and, after an ODI in Ireland, England tackle New Zealand in two Tests, five ODIs and a T20 which last through from May to late June.

Just 15 days after facing the Black Caps for the final time, England start the Ashes series which ends in late August before five ODIs and a T20 match against Australia carry the programme through to mid September.

Then in the winter England travel to play South Africa in four Tests, five ODIs and two T20s from December to February.