World Cup 2023: Moeen Ali reveals why England have been struggling in this tournament
Moeen Ali
England cricketer Moeen Ali admits that lack of aggression by the team has cost them big time during the ongoing World Cup in India. The defending champions are currently languishing at the bottom of the points table and look a pale shadow of their former selves.
Ali, speaking on the eve of the league stage match against Sri Lanka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, said England needed to play with an aggressive intent in the remaining matches.
"We've been playing aggressive cricket since 2015 and done it quite well. I think the lack of that way of cricket has probably cost us a little bit in this tournament," said Ali.
"I think we need to play that way, but without slogging the ball, but just be that really aggressive side that we know we can be," he added.
One of the biggest strengths of the 2019 World Cup-winning England side was its devastating top order. The likes of Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root obliterated bowling attacks in the first few overs and set a platform for the remaining batters, something which England have been unable to do this tournament.
Reflecting on the same, Ali said: "If you get your openers and your top three firing, it certainly helps everybody else and you get in the big scores aside."
)
Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 9: India's full schedule, medal events and match timings
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Shehzad Poonawalla, BJP's national spokesperson quits politics? Here's what sparked social media buzz
)
Delhi Consumer Court fines Indian Railways Rs 25,000 for making RAC passengers share one blanket
)
Pakistan avalanche: Four bodies found as search for Nirmal Purja and 9 other climbers enters critical phase
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
23ft python swallows man returning from party in Indonesia; family find body whole inside reptile
)
Hosts India sweep Malaysia for double gold in men’s and women’s Commonwealth Table Tennis finals
)
This Ramayana actor took ZERO fee from Rs 4000 crore film. Guess who?
)
Bizarre new material discovered in Hiroshima nuclear bombing debris | Gravitas
)
3.6mn people track 24hr Qantas flight from Melbourne to Toulouse: Pilot shifts, fuel tank and other details
)
Karan Johar's The Traitors season 2 contestants: Rhea Chakraborty, Mallika Sherawat and Munawar Faruqui in the first batch
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (July 31, 2026): The Vacation Principle, Rao Bahadur, Chum- Watch 6 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Monsoon set to strengthen in August as India's rainfall deficit narrows to 14%: IMD
)
"Am I Worthy?" Ranbir Kapoor addresses backlash over playing Lord Ram in Ramayana: Part 1
)
Trump to charge foreign students $100,000 for a shot at a US job? Here's why Indian students should be worried
)
'We have special forces': Netanyahu warns against any ICC arrest attempt abroad
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
ICC announces 12 host venues for 2027 ODI World Cup
)
Student denied admission to IIT Kanpur's cybersecurity program hacks websites to prove a point
)
More than 100 Israeli soldiers walk out of base, chant slogans in an 'act of rebellion' | Watch
)
WATCH: 'Absolute chaos' at Spain-Morocco border; thousands breach Ceuta, at least 9 killed
)
Alert for torrential rains across Jammu division; flash flood risk over next five days
)
49,000 illegal migrants enter Spain from Morocco; 34 dead – What is happening in Ceuta?
)
Indian forces used pellet guns on Jul 20? SC hearing, police diary entry, MLC report and injured protesters' claims
)
Spider-Man producer Amy Pascal reveals why she warned Tom Holland and Zendaya against dating
)
'Living Nostradamus' warns of a new war, claims two of his 2026 predictions have come true
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Italy will not...’: Meloni threatens Spain’s Schengen access after thousands enter Ceuta from Morocco
)
Kiara Advani reveals why she chose Toxic, says character offered her 'all the meat an actor longs for'
)
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke returns to Maharashtra, receives grand welcome in hometown
)
Nearly Rs 29 crore cash, 15 kg gold found at ex-bus driver's house in West Bengal
)
British Airways flight comes close to 'nosediving' over London
)
Russia-Ukraine War: Zelensky fears 500,000 new Russian troops
)
Supreme Court grants divorce to Omar Abdullah after settlement with estranged wife Payal
)
Lift accident? Maintenance, builders & makers are ALL liable now, rules Supreme Court: 3 major regulations | WION Decodes
)
Russia-Ukraine war: Putin mobilises more troops for Ukraine's war decisive invasion
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
"We've spoken about it, and it's not always easy. We know you can't do it all the time. But the guys are due for some runs, and hopefully, it's going to come now," he added.
While the intent is certainly lacking, injuries haven't helped England's cause either. The team has lost Reece Topley and didn't have Jofra Archer to begin with. All-rounder Ben Stokes sat the first few matches out due to injury and is yet to achieve full match fitness.
England's WC campaign
In the last match against South Africa, England were thrashed royally at the Wankhede Stadium where they lost the match by 229 runs, chasing an improbable 400.
The English side has now lost three of the four games played with one of the defeats coming against Afghanistan. With the fight for the no. 4 spot heating up, England's World Cup campaign is hanging by a thread now and any more slip-ups would mean curtains on the endeavour.
(With inputs from agencies)