Moeen Ali to captain England for first time this week against Cricket Australia XI as Joe Root takes a rest
The 30-year-old will be the only senior member of the Test squad, with Jimmy Anderson and Alastair Cook also to be rested by Trevor Bayliss
MOEEN ALI will captain England for the first time this week while Joe Root takes a rest.
All-rounder Moeen is the only member of the Test team scheduled to play in the two-day match against a Cricket Australia XI in Perth.
That means tour vice-captain James Anderson and former skipper Alastair Cook are also missing.
It had been assumed Yorkshire captain Gary Ballance, part of the Ashes squad and a close friend of Root, would step up and take charge.
But head coach Trevor Bayliss and Root have decided Moeen should lead the side as he attempts to find form with bat and ball.
Moeen sat out the first two matches of the tour with a side strain and his off-spin bowling has been hindered in the opening two Tests by a cut finger.
The rest of the team in action over the weekend will include fringe squad players such as Ballance, Ben Foakes, Jake Ball, Mason Crane and Tom Curran — along with members of the England Lions, who are currently in Perth.
It means a chance for fast bowler Mark Wood to prove his fitness — although it remains a long shot that England would consider risking him for the Third Test in Perth.
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Bayliss said: “Moeen will play having missed a couple of games on tour through injury. But most of the guys in the Test team will miss out.
“We have to make sure guys aren’t just physically rested but mentally, too.”
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Meanwhile, the Aussies have added all-rounder Mitchell Marsh to their squad for the Third Test.
Peter Handscomb is firmly in the firing line after failing to impress.
Marsh has had just 1½ games of bowling following major shoulder surgery.
The Australian selectors have always wanted an all-rounder in the top six but there was no standout candidate available when they picked their squad for the opening two Tests.
Since then, Marsh has nailed a big first-class hundred for Western Australia and has bowled 22 overs of his fast seamers, which could be handy at the Waca.
But the major factor that has Marsh within touching distance of a stunning comeback to partner his brother — Adelaide man of the match Shaun — at No 5 and No 6 is Handscomb’s alarming slump in form.
The Aussie No 5 has scored 36, 12 and 14 in his three Ashes knocks.
