Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid believe they play their best cricket for England when operating in tandem.
To read the interview in full, order a copy of the October issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly, also available in digital form
The spin-bowling all-rounders both started the season out of the Test side before Rashid received an unexpected and controversial call-up for the India series, despite signing a white-ball only contract with Yorkshire in February, and Moeen then claimed the Player of the Match award on his return to the team at Southampton.
Each will have a vital role to play on the forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka and Rashid says being able to bounce ideas off one another has a positive impact on their performances.
In a wide-ranging interview the pair also discuss their close friendship, which began at county age-group level almost 20 years ago.
Moeen also discusses the importance of the England cricket team representing a multicultural country.
“From my point of view, we’re representing the diversity of England. When you go into bat or bowl, everyone sees you as English, but you’re not Joe Root. You’re not white. You’re Moeen Ali, you’re Adil Rashid, and you’re representing the multiculturalism of the country. For me, England is very diverse, and we should celebrate that. I feel like we’re representing that, as much as British Asians, or being Muslim.”
