'MOEEN MUST BELIEVE HE IS A BETTER BOWLER THAN LYON' - GRAEME SWANN

“Nathan Lyon is no better bowler than Moeen Ali"

Graeme Swann says Moeen Ali must believe he is a better bowler than Nathan Lyon if he is to succeed in his first Test series Australia.

Moeen took 30 wickets for England this summer at 21.20 apiece but Swann urges the spinner to believe in himself if he is to reach another level.

“I’d argue he [Moeen] has not had an incredible summer because he has not won Test matches for England with the ball. Headingley was his chance to quieten any critic down, ‘five wickets, Moeen’s the real deal’, but he didn’t, so I could see him question himself. His stats are phenomenal, but stats lie.”

Moeen’s opposite number, Nathan Lyon, warmed up for the series by taking 22 wickets in two Tests against Bangladesh, but Swann believes Moeen can more than match the Australian.

“Nathan Lyon is no better bowler than Moeen Ali, but he believes his is, therefore he is, ergo, he is more likely to do well. He’s a fine cricketer, but Moeen Ali is better than him and has to believe that he is better than him. He can contribute to his team far more than Nathan can for the Aussies.

“Australians are very good players of spin when it’s not spinning. Perth, and Brisbane are pretty tricky places to bowl and you’ve got to be defensive. But they’re very poor players of spin when it is spinning, so wait for you chance to shine.

“They’re going to have Mitchell Starc playing the whole series and he’s going to create rough outside the off stump. As soon as there’s rough and it’s turning he [Moeen] is going to be on top so you’ve just got to hold your nerve.”

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