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Mo no longer croc-ked

The Ashes 2017-18: England star Moeen Ali confirms fitness for Test series Down Under as he and Alastair Cook spend the day at the zoo

Ali had fun with crocs and koalas at Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville ahead of final warm-up

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ENGLAND star Moeen Ali has confirmed his fitness for the Ashes series... as he and Alastair Cook spent the day at the zoo.

The all-rounder will be a key figure for the tourists Down Under, particularly in the absence of Ben Stokes.

Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali played with crocodiles during a brief day of relaxation on Monday morning
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Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali played with crocodiles during a brief day of relaxation on Monday morningCredit: Getty

And Mo revealed he WILL be fit to take to the field for the First Test at the Gabba during a team outing to the Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville.

Ahead of England's final Ashes warm-up game, Moeen said: "I can't wait, getting a bit of game time in my system and then ready to play at the Gabba.

"I'm very excited, looking forward to the atmosphere. It doesn't faze me.

"I'm just going to come out and play like I always do for England, and give it my best shot."

Moeen Ali and Alastair Cook also got up close and personal with koalas on their day out in Townsville
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Moeen Ali and Alastair Cook also got up close and personal with koalas on their day out in TownsvilleCredit: Getty
Moeen Ali revealed he will be fit for the First Test at the Gabba as he played with crocs on Monday
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Moeen Ali revealed he will be fit for the First Test at the Gabba as he played with crocs on MondayCredit: Getty

All-rounder Moeen also revealed he is happy with England's progress during the two somewhat uninspiring warm-up games thus far.

He added: "The opposition has been quite good.


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"We were in trouble a couple of times, so it was a bit of a reality check for us to get back into our game.

"[We must] make sure we're ruthless when we do get the chance and not give it away."

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England's Ashes Test schedule

Nov 23-27 First Test (Brisbane)
Dec 2-6 Second Test (Adelaide)
Dec 14-18 Third Test (Perth)
Dec 26-30 Fourth Test (Melbourne)
Jan 4-8 Fifth Test (Sydney)

Moeen Ali will take to the field for the First Ashes Test in Brisbane in ten days time, barring any setbacks
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Moeen Ali will take to the field for the First Ashes Test in Brisbane in ten days' time, barring any setbacksCredit: Getty
 Former Test skipper Alastair Cook enjoyed his morning at the Billabong Sanctuary
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Former Test skipper Alastair Cook enjoyed his morning at the Billabong SanctuaryCredit: Getty
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Moeen Ali also got his hands on a koala as he prepares for the First Test on November 23
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Moeen Ali also got his hands on a koala as he prepares for the First Test on November 23Credit: Getty

During Moeen's day out with former skipper Cook, the pair were seen playing with CROCODILES and koalas.

The England duo helped the crocs surge out of the water and leap into the air with a few tricks of the trade.

Following that, they took it down a notch as they cuddled koalas and posed for pics with the marsupials.

With the First Test in Brisbane a mere ten days away, England fans will be hoping their side show a little bite of their own when taking on the old enemy Down Under.

The two England stars took on the role of genuine tourists during their excursion on Monday
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The two England stars took on the role of genuine tourists during their excursion on MondayCredit: Getty
England will be hoping to show a little bite of their own during the upcoming Ashes series
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England will be hoping to show a little bite of their own during the upcoming Ashes seriesCredit: Getty
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