Is Moeen Ali the best number eight batsman in Test cricket?

[Muhammad10]

Nasser Hussain just described him as the best number eight in world cricket. Do you agree?

 

[Leo23]

he has been a different batsman since his horror show against Pakistan at lord's last year

he has shown a lot of mental strength the way he has turned things around

credit goes to the management as well

 

[CricketAnalyst]

Certainly.

He's a high class batsman who has played as a serious opener on merit for England in all formats. A guy like that batting at 8 just highlights one of the stronger points of English cricket which is their deep batting orders.

 

[Aman]

Yes.

He's England's best and most important player as well IMO.

Always seems to score valuable runs when needed and picks up at least 1 wicket every innings.

 

[Bilal7]

Yes.

He's England's best and most important player as well IMO.

Always seems to score valuable runs when needed and picks up at least 1 wicket every innings.

Agreed. He's one of England's most important and best players, along with Root and Broad.

 

[Markhor]

Wasted at 8 - should at least be at 7 with Bairstow bumped up to 5. He's so effective as that counterpuncher down the order. That was one of his best knocks yesterday in Tests on a wearing pitch offering uneven bounce.

Root's used him well this series and Saqlain seems to have made a positive impact.

 

[HitWicket]

Wasted at 8 - should at least be at 7 with Bairstow bumped up to 5. He's so effective as that counterpuncher down the order. That was one of his best knocks yesterday in Tests on a wearing pitch offering uneven bounce.

Root's used him well this series and Saqlain seems to have made a positive impact.

Absolutely no need for 6 bowlers so someone's gotta bat 8.

 

[shaz619]

Probably the most underrated player amongst those who are an automatic selection around the world, but England value Mo and his versatility which is what matters most. Joe Root laughing when Athers mentions Mo as the second spinner they just keep saying that because he is their secret weapon

 

[shaz619]

I wanted Mo to bat in the middle order in the past but he is doing so well at no.7 or no.8 that I see no reason why his position should be changed. England's bigger problems are position no.2, no.3 and no.5; they have obviously blooded in some fresh faces so remains to be seem if they can solidify themselves although at this stage Jennings doesn't really inspire.

 

[Big Mac]

In order to be accurate, the thread title needs to be changed to:

"Is Moeen Ali the best in test cricket?"

and OP needs to be edited to

"Yes"

then it needs to be locked and stickied at the top of the forum for the rest of time.

 

[Adil_94]

yeah id agree with that none better than Moeen coming in at number 8. a real dangerous proposition with the bat. And not bad with the ball either.

 

[Markhor]

Absolutely no need for 6 bowlers so someone's gotta bat 8.

Bring in a specialist keeper like Foakes and take the gloves off Bairstow who should only focus on his batting which can be of a huge asset to England.

 

[HitWicket]

Bring in a specialist keeper like Foakes and take the gloves off Bairstow who should only focus on his batting which can be of a huge asset to England.

Again I don't see the need. Bairstows keeping has been improving drastically in the last 2 years or so and he's been exceptional with the bat anyway. If anything I'd suggest upsetting him by taking the gloves away against his strong wishes could even have a detrimental effect.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Again I don't see the need. Bairstows keeping has been improving drastically in the last 2 years or so and he's been exceptional with the bat anyway. If anything I'd suggest upsetting him by taking the gloves away against his strong wishes could even have a detrimental effect.

How would it upset him when you are telling him that you're such a great batsman, we want you to fulfill your potential up the order as a batsman rather than bat at 7 as a WK.

Pairing Root and Bairstow at 3-4 could greatly strengthen England's top order and could be game changing in Australia.

 

[HitWicket]

How would it upset him when you are telling him that you're such a great batsman, we want you to fulfill your potential up the order as a batsman rather than bat at 7 as a WK.

Pairing Root and Bairstow at 3-4 could greatly strengthen England's top order and could be game changing in Australia.

Because he's been adamant that he enjoys keeping and doesn't want to give up the gloves.

 

[On_the_up]

Moeen is wasted at 8 to be frank.

He's averaging 30 (548 runs no 100s) at no 8 and 68 (754 runs with 3 tons) at 7.

Problem (??) obviously is England have to accommodate Stokes/Bairstow/Moeen somehow.

I think with Woakes back, they can all go up a place.

1 Cook
2 Opener
3 Westley/another
4 Root
5 Stokes
6 Bairstow
7 Moeen
8 Woakes
9 Toby Roland
10 Broad
11 Anderson

 

[Hasan123]

Yes he's the best number 8 in tests currently.

 

[jusarrived]

Ideally he would be either a No 7 or may be No 6 for most other teams

 

[KingKhanWC]

No.8 is traditionally the best batting bowler. Moeen is a batting all rounder and should be in the top 6.

 

[Justcrazy]

If your middle order batsman is forced to bat down from number 7 - 10 , he would be best . This is not surprising at all. If Sarfaraz bats at 8 or Matthews for Lanka bats at 8 , it would be same. Its not as if a pure number 8 is batting at that position.

 

[Bilal7]

Moeen is wasted at 8 to be frank.

He's averaging 30 (548 runs no 100s) at no 8 and 68 (754 runs with 3 tons) at 7.

Problem (??) obviously is England have to accommodate Stokes/Bairstow/Moeen somehow.

I think with Woakes back, they can all go up a place.

1 Cook
2 Opener
3 Westley/another
4 Root
5 Stokes
6 Bairstow
7 Moeen
8 Woakes
9 Toby Roland
10 Broad
11 Anderson

Switch Stokes and Bairstow and you have England's best team and probably, the best team in the world. Rashid as 12th man for a turning pitch.

 

[KhalidRafi]

England need to get rid of Malan. He doesn't have the temperament for Test cricket, should add another bowler like Woakes or Rashid who can bat too and bump Moeen, Bairstow and Stokes one notch up

 

[HitWicket]

Again, what's the point in having 6 bowlers (and a couple of part timers).

 

[Robert]

Wasted at 8 - should at least be at 7 with Bairstow bumped up to 5. He's so effective as that counterpuncher down the order. That was one of his best knocks yesterday in Tests on a wearing pitch offering uneven bounce.

Root's used him well this series and Saqlain seems to have made a positive impact.

Ok if Bairstow gives someone else the gloves.

 

[Big Mac]

Because he's been adamant that he enjoys keeping and doesn't want to give up the gloves.

That's because unlike Junior Akmal, Bairstow isn't an idiot and he knows that being the keeper will protect him if his batting goes into a slump.

 

[The Googly]

I would go further. He is the best number 8 in the history of cricket! No-one who has regularly batted at number 8 is anywhere near Moeen. A top player. And a good guy.

However, it showed up how poor South Africa played him. This is the same Moeen who got bashed to kingdom come against Pakistan in their last 2 series and in the winter against India. He has likely improved a little bit in the last few months - but some of the blame has to go to Saffer't timid approach and lack of skill against spin.

 

[Bilal7]

Again, what's the point in having 6 bowlers (and a couple of part timers).

More bowling options. Simple ain't it? Moeen and Stokes are all-rounders and two of their best batsmen. Then you have the traditional four bowlers, one of whom is also a decent bat (Woakes). I don't see how this is anything but a blessing for England.

 

[Leo23]

any top order batsman who bats at 8 will become the best number 8 batsman in the world

moeen is a top order player

 

[Saj]

I think standards have gone down.

Used to be a time when the likes of Wasim, Pollock, Hadlee etc would come in. These days there are several very poor cricketers batting as high as number 8.

 

[backfootpunch]

The reason why Moeen is batting at 8 because its all about accommodating the golden ginger boy somewhere down the lower middle order.

Bat the ginger at 5 and you'll see how many England fans and their whole media reporters want to him to be dropped. It's obvious that England are doing everything to protect him, in order to fulfil that Moeen has to go at 8 even though he is the better batsman.

 

[jeetu]

Moeen Ali at no.8 is wasted , besides he hasn't has same impact like no.7 where he has 65+ avg with 2 centuries.

Overall stats of players at no.8 ( min 500 runs , 25 avg)

 

[ads101]

The reason why Moeen is batting at 8 because its all about accommodating the golden ginger boy somewhere down the lower middle order.

Bat the ginger at 5 and you'll see how many England fans and their whole media reporters want to him to be dropped. It's obvious that England are doing everything to protect him, in order to fulfil that Moeen has to go at 8 even though he is the better batsman.

while partially true i do think stokes is good enough to be in the team but he hasnt done well enough to justify 6 when bairstow especially and moeen have done more. the odd incredible innings doesnt change that. as a no7/8 hes fine. id like him to work more on his bowling too, moeen is good enough to get in ball alone now while stokes isnt.

 

[Rana]

Probably the most underrated player amongst those who are an automatic selection around the world, but England value Mo and his versatility which is what matters most. Joe Root laughing when Athers mentions Mo as the second spinner they just keep saying that because he is their secret weapon

Mo is a beautiful off spinner. He isnt the rubbish bowling flat and fast dart cr*p that is going around a lot these days. If only he can just develop a legal 'other one' delivery, I believe he can become a 7 wicket a test match bowler

 

[troodon]

he has been a different batsman since his horror show against Pakistan at lord's last year

he has shown a lot of mental strength the way he has turned things around

credit goes to the management as well

He is scared of Pakistan. Never seems to perform against them.

I have to say he is the best all rounder in the Test format as of now. Gets crucial breakthroughs and also scores valuable runs. To me, he is more than just a No.8.

Every now and then, he can even run through sides with his seemingly innocuous spin bowling.

The only team who owned Moen Ali badly is Pakistan and then India in India. Against most other teams, he has performed very well.

England are lucky to have Ali and Stokes.

 

[shaz619]

Mo is a beautiful off spinner. He isnt the rubbish bowling flat and fast dart cr*p that is going around a lot these days. If only he can just develop a legal 'other one' delivery, I believe he can become a 7 wicket a test match bowler

Definetly, he attacks both edges of the bat; think he can still be highly successful as a conventional off spinner and working with Saqi will improve him. Doesn't need the doosra in my opinion and only one spinner was ever able to bowl that delivery with a 100% clean action and that was the inventor

 

[shaz619]

He is scared of Pakistan. Never seems to perform against them.

I have to say he is the best all rounder in the Test format as of now. Gets crucial breakthroughs and also scores valuable runs. To me, he is more than just a No.8.

Every now and then, he can even run through sides with his seemingly innocuous spin bowling.

The only team who owned Moen Ali badly is Pakistan and then India in India. Against most other teams, he has performed very well.

England are lucky to have Ali and Stokes.

Against Pak in England last year he had a brilliant series with the bat, averaged 60+ , 1 hundred and 2 50's. He struggled initially and we saw that god awful dismissal at Lords against Shah but he bounced back quiet well, thing with Mo is you can't ask him to tone down his natural game; but bank on him paying you back in double for the times things didn't go so well. In that same series he took 11 wickets even though it wasn't his best performance with the ball.

Anyhow he's an impact A/R and equals Joe Root with most MOM's at 5 and joint second in the world during same period, only Steven Smith has more at 6. He will be hit and miss but all the good he does makes up for the investment, and he maybe defined as the 2nd spinner but honestly he's the best in England, there are some decent up and comers but they've not peaked.

 

[backfootpunch]

while partially true i do think stokes is good enough to be in the team but he hasnt done well enough to justify 6 when bairstow especially and moeen have done more. the odd incredible innings doesnt change that. as a no7/8 hes fine. id like him to work more on his bowling too, moeen is good enough to get in ball alone now while stokes isnt.

But the point is how can the inferior batsman be batting above Bairstow and Moeen. Stokes is number 7 at best.

 

[Bilal7]

He is scared of Pakistan. Never seems to perform against them.

I have to say he is the best all rounder in the Test format as of now. Gets crucial breakthroughs and also scores valuable runs. To me, he is more than just a No.8.

Every now and then, he can even run through sides with his seemingly innocuous spin bowling.

The only team who owned Moen Ali badly is Pakistan and then India in India. Against most other teams, he has performed very well.

England are lucky to have Ali and Stokes.

He scored two centuries against India and performed brilliantly against Pakistan with the bat as well. Being subcontinent teams, they were bound to play him better than anyone else.

 

[Bilal7]

But the point is how can the inferior batsman be batting above Bairstow and Moeen. Stokes is number 7 at best.

He's only 25 and has loads of room to improve. It makes sense that they want him to develop in arguably the second most easiest batting spot in tests.

Ali should bat at #5 and Bairstow being the keeper is good at #7.

 

[Abdullah719]

Yet another important knock by Moeen.

 

[idrizzy]

By a country mile.

 

[James]

Not sure if Moeen would perform to the same standard if he was in the top five. He seems to be better at batting with lower order players and taking the senior lead. Alongside top order batsmen he develops some sort of inferiority complex and gets himself out.

 

[Plumb]

Here people like to throw stats and numbers at each other, what is missing from the stats are the time, condition and the need of the innings. Moeen has been utilized perfectly by england, gives eng long tail and annoys the opposition, offcourse he 'll fail from time to time but so far working good. Perfect example to compare with is hafeez who all his life sang the song of "bless to play all formats at top 3 and did nothing" if hafeez was utilized same fashion pak would have won more games. I mentioned that in another thread too..I bet Moeen won't be a success if he bats in top 4.