Harry Brook can make his iT20 case in the Hundred
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Moeen Ali believes England’s white-ball struggles this summer have opened the door for the likes of Harry Brook to make a T20 World Cup charge during the Hundred.
After thrashing the Netherlands in three ODIs at the start of the summer, England have failed to win any of four series in either white-ball format against India and South Africa.
Twelve months ago, Liam Livingstone lit up the inaugural edition of the Hundred, blasting 348 runs at an average of 58, to nail down a spot in England’s side for the T20 World Cup in the UAE.
Moeen watched the repeated masterclasses first-hand as Livingstone’s captain at Birmingham Phoenix and believes the stage is set for someone to make a similar impact, with Brook tipped to take his stunning form for Yorkshire into the Northern Superchargers’ campaign.
“If there are players doing well, especially now that we haven’t played so well this summer, if somebody is absolutely outstanding then he’ll put his hand up to get into that team,” Moeen said.
“Someone like Harry Brook has got the potential to do that. I know he’s played a couple of games for England already but he’s a brilliant player, in my opinion.
“It’s really important for the younger players that there is a bit of a window for them now. In the past, I think it was quite hard for players to get picked for England because the side was doing well. But I think now there’s a chance if guys are doing really well.”
This year’s T20 World Cup begins in Australia in October, with England looking to add another global title to their 50-over crown, having fallen to New Zealand in the semi-finals at last year’s tournament.
They will need to improve markedly on this summer’s form in the shortest format, however, having started the tenure of new coach Matthew Mott and captain Jos Buttler with successive 2-1 series losses against India and South Africa on home soil.
A number of England’s most established white-ball performers struggled, most notably Jason Roy at the top of the order, and Moeen believes that results and the performances of those knocking on the door of the squad must serve as a wake-up call.
“There’s a lot more completion now,” he said, speaking ahead of the launch of KP Snacks’ summer cricket roadshow at the Black Prince Trust in Oval.
“When you don’t play well or you’re losing there’s always going to be changes and with a change of coach and captain there’s always a chance of fresh faces coming in. When Morgs [Eoin Morgan] and Trev [Trevor Bayliss] took over there were a lot of fresh faces.
“They bring a lot more energy at times and it keeps all the senior players on their toes because there are some fantastic players coming through.
“It’s been a frustrating summer but one where we probably end up learning more about the side. I’m sure the captain and coach are learning more about what they need going forward, and I’m sure there will be some sort of changes.
“One thing we did under Morgs was work really, really hard and it’s a reminder that we need to go back to those things that we did really well and the things that made us consistently good.
“It’s a great reminder, having not had a great summer, that is does take a lot of hard work and you’re not just given a spot in the side. We all have to perform and win games for England.”
