Joe Root and 4 seamers: Nasser Hussain on England snubbing Moeen Ali for Lord's Test

By India Today Sports Desk: Nasser Hussain has spoken about what England can do without Moeen Ali in their lineup for the Lord's Test and feels they could go with Joe Root and four seamers as the bowling options.

Moeen had made his comeback into Test cricket for the Ashes after initially retiring from the longest format of the game in 2021. Replacing Jack Leach, the all-rounder hasn't had a great return with the ball as he had figures of two for 147 in the first innings.

Moeen was also penalized by the ICC for breaching their Code Of Conduct after he was seen applying a drying agent to his hand because of a finger injury.

Speaking on day 5 of the Edgbaston Test, Hussain said Lord's is the only ground where England could just go with Root as their spinner and with four seamers. The former England skipper said that the hosts will need to pick someone who is better than Root if they want a spinner in the lineup for the second Test.

Hussain suggested that England find themselves in a tricky situation and would be hoping Moeen would improve.

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"If there is one ground you could leave your spinner out and play Root, it would be Lord's - unless it's absolutely baking. It doesn't always turn there in the Test matches, but it can get very flat so you may need your spinner there in a holding role."

"The problem in English first-class cricket is of the leading 46 wicket-takers, 44 are seamers - and the two spinners are Simon Harmer at Essex, who can't play for us, and Jack Leach who is injured."

"Will Jacks obviously came in against Pakistan and got a six-for on his debut. If you're going to go for a second spinner, it has to be someone who is a lot better than Root."

"Liam Dawson at Hamsphire - Rob Key has always been a fan of his. Tom Hartley at Lancashire bats a bit as well, Rehan Ahmed hasn't bowled much, and the problem is then you're leaving out someone like Anderson, Broad or Robinson.

"It's really tricky, you hope Moeen would improve, but I would think about Root and four seamers," said Hussain.

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