The ICC has focused on Moeen as the deputy fielder. At the same time, Jos Buttler has decided to keep wicket at the T20 World Cup due to his superior
view from behind the stumps, outweighing the possibility of strict over-rate
penalties. Buttler's decision means he will rely heavily on his vice-captain,
Moeen Ali, to deliver information to the bowlers.
In the last two years, the ICC has attempted to tighten down on slow overrates
by proposing rules to speed up the game twice. When teams miss the
cut-off time for their bowling innings, they must place an additional fielder
inside the 30-yard circle, while a 'stop-clock' was tried during England's
December series against the West Indies and has since been made permanent.
The countdown clock, projected on huge screens throughout
England's series against Pakistan and the World Cup, allows fielding teams 60
seconds to prepare between overs, with two warnings followed by a five-run
penalty. England was cautioned twice during the series finale in Trinidad, but
they escaped the penalty.
Buttler passed the gloves to Phil Salt twice during that series, having
previously done so while captaining Manchester Originals in the Hundred in
2022. He also often plays outfield for the Rajasthan Royals, while Sanju Samson
wears the gloves, but he has elected to keep wicket for the next six weeks.
It means Moeen's job as vice-captain will become more clear,
and he will continue to interact with bowlers in the outfield. "Obviously
it is going to be strict and these things, we can't take lightly," he
stated. "There is a lot of trust within the group and I think bowlers enjoy having
me at mid-off lot of time, talking to them, so hopefully that can work."
Buttler referred to Moeen as "a great confidant" earlier this week.
Moeen stated, "He trusts me." Jos speaks to the bowlers, but things
might change in the middle of the game, so [I bring] a new perspective. It's
about making sure that when I interact with bowlers, I make it obvious what
they want to do and what their plans are."
While over-rate penalties have become more stringent
thereafter, Buttler maintained a wicket for England's T20 World Cup victory in
Australia in 2022, downplaying the impact of his decision. "I've got feet:
I can run down there and talk to them," he told Sky Sports on Wednesday. "It's
a real big myth sometimes… there's different ways I can slow the game
down."That's why I enjoy keeping: I feel like I have the best view. I can
watch what's going on and make calls. I remember when Morgs [Eoin Morgan] was
captain, he would frequently approach the keeper for information. I have a lot
of that on hand, and it's just about finding those occasions when I can get to
the bowler. Being a keeper also has several advantages.
Buttler's wife Louise is significantly pregnant with their third child, and he
has stated that he will attend the delivery, adding, "My family comes
first". Buttler may miss a World Cup match, although
Moeen, who has captained England in 12 T20Is, downplayed the significance of
his absence.
"If it happens, then it's a great honor - as it always is," he
stated. "I'll be alright; nothing will change too dramatically. It's
simply taking over what he's doing, and when he returns, he takes control.
Hopefully, the baby arrives at the correct time, so he doesn't miss too many
games. Jos and I communicate frequently and are generally on the same page.
Following Wednesday's washout in Leeds, England now has three matches remaining
until their World Cup opener against Scotland in Barbados on June 4, the first
of which is at Edgbaston on Saturday. Moeen believes that there will be
"plenty of games" to prepare for the tournament, but that England's
strategy still has to be refined.
"Do we have a positive attitude towards the sort of
cricket we want to play? Are we attempting to be cautious? Are we going to
adapt? And then we just pick, and once we've decided what we want as a group,
we really commit to it, whether it's a bat, ball, or in the field," he
explained. "That is what clarity is for us."
Moeen also believes they are "much more confident" going into this
World Cup than they were in the ODI series in India last year. "It's a
whole different game. I know it's white-ball cricket, but it's not the same.
We're more settled and likely to be more comfortable in T20 than in 50-over
cricket. Most of the players have played a lot more T20 than 50 overs."
0 Comments