ICC World Cup 2019: Graeme Swann wants England to replace Jofra Archer with Moeen Ali

After a couple of defeats at the hands of Sri Lanka and Australia, England made a comeback in the 2019 World Cup. The Eoin Morgan-led unit defeated Virat Kohli’s India by 31 runs at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. However, despite the victory, the Three Lions aren’t out of hot waters. Their last league match is versus New Zealand on July 3 at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street.

It’s a must-win affair for them and if the Brits go on to lose the match, then they have to depend on the result of the game between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Leeds. In the meantime, Graeme Swann, the former English cricketer, reckons that the track for Wednesday’s match will assist the spin bowlers.

Hence, he wants the team management to rest speedster Jofra Archer and bring in Moeen Ali in the pacer’s place. Swann doesn’t want to bench Mark Wood as the seamer is in good rhythm.

It might sound crazy

“I’ve been up at The Riverside Ground this week and, from looking at the wicket, I think Moeen Ali should come back into the side. This pitch is quite slow and it will turn. It doesn’t really suit fast bowlers so I’d look to rest one.

Mark Wood has found great rhythm, so I wouldn’t take him out. It might sound crazy but if I were picking the side, I’d rest Jofra Archer and bring Moeen back,” Swann was quoted as saying in Betfair.

Jason Roy made an immediate impact after the injury layoff and Swann believes that it’s a positive sign for the England team. “He’s the man for England now. There’s a lot of positivity about him and it was remarkable how good he looked coming back into the side on Sunday,” Swann mentioned.

Swann doesn’t want England to undermine the Kiwis by any means. The former off-spinner also sounded worried about the out-of-touch Martin Guptill, who has a decent record versus England. “New Zealand had an easy start to the World Cup. They have since lost to Pakistan and Australia, but the Black Caps are still dangerous opponents.

In Ross Taylor, they have someone who’s used to playing at Durham and he could be there jack in the pack. But the New Zealand player I’m most worried about is Martin Guptill. He’s done nothing in this World Cup with the bat but he’s a brilliant player with a good record against England,” he added.