Cricket: Moeen Ali ready to step up and play 'big role' in Bangladesh
England allrounder Moeen Ali is feeling no pressure despite knowing how he performs may have a significant impact on his team’s fortunes in Bangladesh and India this winter.
The 29-year-old all-rounder will be expected to shoulder a heavy burden during the tours of Bangladesh and India, where spin on slow, low tracks is usually decisive, reports The Daily Mail.
England have undergone a stunning transformation from the teams' last meeting in Adelaide, but Moeen recognises the ODIs against Bangladesh and then India in the new year could be the acid test for a burgeoning side building towards the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy on home soil.
Speaking to promote next year's tournament, Moeen said: "India and Bangladesh are going to be tough series and I think they're going to show where we are as a side.
"We are very wary of Bangladesh. They beat us in Australia, we know they can play, but we're a completely different side now.
England have therefore opted to bolster their slow bowling ranks for the two-Test series against Bangladesh, with Adil Rashid, Zafar Ansari and Gareth Batty selected in the squad alongside first-choice spinner Moeen.
Barring injury, Moeen and Yorkshire leg-spinner Rashid are likely to be involved in the first Test in Chittagong on October 20, but it is not inconceivable that either of the Surrey pair could also be in the XI.
Moeen, though, is the most experienced international spinner in England's touring party and he hopes he can play a major role against Bangladesh and then in the following four-Test series in India.
He told Press Association Sport: "With the conditions probably more suited to my game, I feel like I will have a big role to play at some stage and I'm hoping I can play a big part in us winning both series.
"I think I'll be in the game more with it being in the subcontinent and spin is probably the biggest threat
"But I don't feel any pressure at all. There's always pressure on you playing in international cricket.
"You've just got to deal with it as best as you can. I've had some ups and downs with the ball, but I feel like it's made me a better bowler each time."
There has been some suggestion Moeen could fill a hole in England's problematic middle order after compiling tons against Sri Lanka and Pakistan this summer.
Moeen, who usually bats at eight in the order but has fulfilled roles at six and seven as well as opener, would be happy with a switch to four or five.
He said: "It's an option, I think. I'm sure the selectors and the coach and the captain are probably thinking about it, but, like I've always said, wherever they ask me to bat, I'll bat there.
"I do consider myself a top order batsman so I'd love to bat up the order, but I'm happy to bat wherever and if I have to wait my turn then so be it."
Before the Test series gets under way, England and Moeen begin their winter schedule with three ODIs against the Tigers, who stunned Eoin Morgan's men during their fraught World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand two years ago.
Morgan led England to seven wins from 10 ODI matches this summer, but he, along with fellow batsman Alex Hales, will be absent from the Bangladesh tour due to security concerns.
It is an issue that has divided opinion, but seemingly not in the England camp, with Moeen echoing the likes of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler in expressing his support for his team-mates' decisions.
Moeen said: "It's their choice. But they're still a massive part of the team. We respect their choice and we're 100 per cent behind them."
Moeen, though, had no hesitation in signing up.
"I've been there four or five times before and I feel like it's a nice place to go and play cricket. The people are very friendly and nice to us," he added.
"You're probably not safe anywhere these days so I don't see too much of a problem with the tour."