‘Have a lot of sympathy’ - Nathan Lyon reflects on Moeen Ali bowling with finger blisters

One of the biggest talking points of the ongoing Ashes 2023 has been the return of veteran English all-rounder Moeen Ali back into the Test setup. The 36-year-old was brought out of retirement and called back into the squad after spinner, Jack Leach sustained a stress fracture in his lower back.

Coming out of retirement, Ali was sent straight into action as he bowled the most overs of any England bowler in the first innings. He bowled 33 overs and took two wickets in the process. However, being out of action in red-ball cricket has clearly taken a toll on the all-rounder. 

The 36-year-old had blisters on his fingers from bowling too much, and he was also slapped with a 25% match fee fine for breaching the ICC’s Code of Conduct after he was spotted applying a drying agent to his finger. Seeing Ali’s situation, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon came forward to sympathise with the all-rounder and stated that he felt sorry for him. 

"It’s massive to be honest with you, I am actually sitting here have a lot of sympathy for Moeen. Not coming off any red-ball cricket for two years and thrown into bowling a lot of overs. The best way I can probably sum it up, and it will probably sound weird, is a singer losing their vocals but expecting to go out and put a concert on," Nathan Lyon was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda. 

Furthermore, Lyon also explained that he understands what kind of situation Ali is in, as it is quite tough for off-spinners to grip the ball, and even opined that it is quite painful.

"It is extremely tough to grip the ball as finger spinners, especially as offies, we put our fingers on the seam and try to spin up the back of the ball. That’s where we get spin, drop and drift. So a lot of sympathy for him, I’ve been there before, it is quite painful," Lyon added.