Moeen to miss T20s
Published:Wednesday | February 27, 2019 | 12:00 AM
LONDON (CMC):
Off-spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali will join Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler on the sidelines for the three-match Twenty20 (T20) series against West Indies after being granted time off.
The 31-year-old, a key member of the England squad in all formats, featured in all three Tests and both One-Day Internationals (ODIs) of the ongoing series.
He has been replaced by fast-bowling all-rounder Sam Curran, who played in the two opening Tests against the Windies with limited success.
The 20-year-old is yet to make his T20 debut for England.
Rest for the trio comes ahead of their campaign in the lucrative Indian Premier League, which bowls off March 23.
Moeen will turn out for Royal Challengers Bangalore, while Stokes and Buttler will feature for Rajasthan Royals.
Curran will be making his IPL debut in the upcoming season after being signed by Kings XI Punjab.
Opener Jason Roy, currently part of the ODI series, will also miss the Windies T20s as he is set to return home for the birth of his first child.
England face West Indies in the opening T20I in St Lucia on March 5 before heading to St Kitts for the final two matches on March 8 and 10.