Moeen Ali ‘100%’ expecting to be targeted by Australia in Ashes, says Ben Stokes only captain he would have returned for

Moeen Ali says he wouldn’t have returned to Test cricket for any other England captain than Ben Stokes – and is expecting Australia to “come after” him in the Ashes.

Moeen has revealed how Stokes, who was his team-mate at Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League earlier this year, contacted him before he knew about Leach’s injury.

“Stokesy messaged me with a question mark – ‘Ashes?’,” said Moeen. “I just said ‘LOL’, thinking he was taking the mick.

“The news came through and I had a chat with him. That was it.

“To be part of it is amazing. It’s such a big series and the guys have been playing exciting cricket.”

England have won 11 of their last 13 Test matches under Stokes’ captaincy.

“I’ve obviously spent a lot of time with Stokesy during the IPL,” added Moeen.

“He didn’t mention anything about coming out of retirement, it was just about the Ashes and how he was looking to take the team. He obviously watched me train out there and thinks I can bowl decently.”

Asked if he would have returned to the Test arena for any other captain, Moeen said: “Probably not, no.

“It is a free hit. I’m not playing for my spot. There’s no pressure, really.

“I spoke to Baz [McCullum, head coach] and he said he’s not bothered about how I perform, which is quite nice.

“As an individual, I want to do well and contribute to winning games. All the things I ever wanted to do in Test cricket I’m going to try to do in these games. It could be dangerous, it could be not so dangerous. We’ll see.”

Moeen has played 64 Tests for England, scoring 2,914 runs and taking 195 wickets.

However, he has struggled against Australia, having taken 20 wickets at an average of 64.65.

He says he “100%” expects to be targeted by the Australian batsmen.

“If I was them I’d do the same. Any spinner that came in would have been attacked. I’m not expecting them to defend me.

“I’m expecting them to come after me, which could be dangerous because Stokesy likes having the fielders up. It could go for a lot of runs.”

The first Ashes Test at Egbaston starts on June 16.