Moeen Ali has labelled the cricket schedule “horrible” with England’s T20 World Cup celebrations cut short by the upcoming ODI series against Australia.
Only 72 hours will have passed since England’s World Cup triumph when the Poms suit up once more to play Australia on Thursday in the first of three ODI games.
Speaking ahead of the series, Ali told reporters that the scheduling is “horrible” and said it was becoming increasingly “difficult” to maintain the same intensity for every game.
Watch Australia v England. Every ODI live and ad-break free in play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Poms crowned kings of white ball cricket | 04:02
“It’s been happening for a while,” said Ali.
“Having a game in three days’ time, it’s horrible. As a group we want to enjoy and celebrate and have that [time], because we put so much into it.
“As players we’re kind of getting used to it now, but to give 100 per cent all the time is difficult when you’re playing every two or three days.”
It was a similar message from head coach Matthew Mott, who described the quick turnaround as “not ideal” when speaking with reporters on Monday.
“We’ve got to enjoy this victory,” he said.
“They don’t come around very often so there’ll be no disguising the fact that we will enjoy this. We’ll have a good day today, we had a great night last night.
“We’ve got to turn up and make sure we put out a great effort. For the white-ball team we get through those three games and then there’s a long break, so that’ll be the time to properly let our hair down and enjoy it.”
While understanding of how difficult it will be to mentally and physically get up for the ODI series, former Australian Test captain Michael Clarke also had a reality check for Ali.
“If it was playing in the T20 World Cup and then the next day get on a plane to depart for the IPL, I don’t think you’d hear anybody whinge,” Clarke said.
“Players can’t complain about the international schedule when they’re taking opportunity to play domestic cricket as well for franchises for money when you can have that six or eight weeks off. Then you’d be as fresh as a daisy. I’ve obviously found that very hard.”
Rashid takes screamer in Final! | 00:34
Of course, as someone who knows the rigours of the packed cricket schedule all too well, Clarke was certainly empathetic to just how difficult it can be.
“I know how busy it is,” he said.
“I know how hectic it is. Yes, it’s a mental challenge travelling the world 10 months of the year feeling like you’re playing or training or sitting on aeroplane every day, there’s no doubt about it, it’s a fulltime job.
“But you do get breaks on your schedule and when you decide on playing in competitions like the IPL, especially for Australian players, that’s your opportunity to have a break. You choose to go and play that, no matter what you feel you cannot publicly complain about it. You’re not going to win that battle.”
Australian skipper Pat Cummins has done just that, confirming on Tuesday morning that he had made the “difficult decision” to sit out next year’s Indian Premier League.
“The international schedule is packed with Tests and ODI’s for the next 12 months, so will take some rest ahead of an Ashes series and World Cup,” he wrote on Twitter.
