Tuesday 10 February 2015 16:34, UK
Moeen Ali is ready for a short-pitch barrage when England face Australia in their World Cup opener on Saturday.
Word has quickly spread around the international scene about the England opener's perceived weakness against the short ball.
He was recently bounced out fending at a short Mitchell Johnson ball in the tri-series final in Perth.
I've been working quite hard on it so I feel like I'm ready to play against Australia on Saturday.
That was the first time Moeen had faced the Australian tearaway - who was rested for most of the tri-series - and while he succumbed to Johnson, he believes he has played the short ball well since arriving in Australia.
He said: "There have been times when I've been bounced out, especially against India (in the summer) when I didn't play the short ball very well.
"But against Australia in the tri-series I've felt like I've seen the ball well. Maybe because of the extra pace - there's something different about facing Australia.
"I just felt that was a good ball (from Johnson). I didn't feel like it was too quick, it was just right on the money. Before that I was playing him quite well so I'm not too worried about the short ball.
"I've been working quite hard on it so I feel like I'm ready to play against Australia on Saturday."
Fearsome
Moeen believes that while Johnson was quick, the Australian’s team-mate Mitchell Starc was even quicker.
The Worcestershire left-hander concedes that after his lay-off Johnson was probably not at his fearsome best at the WACA Ground, but suspects he will still be better off at the MCG for having now seen him first hand.
"I found Mitchell Starc quicker - maybe because it was Johnson's first game back," Moeen said. "Even though I got a good ball I felt I found Starc harder.
"I looked at a lot of (Johnson's) balls, a lot were cross seam. They always do something a bit more. He's obviously a top-quality bowler, he's not just pace, he's quality as well.
"When I faced him that first over he was back he was tough - but on that day Mitchell Starc was quicker."
Even if Moeen survives any Australian hostility on Valentine's Day - and he did club Pat Cummins for a hat-trick of sixes when he was bounced in Hobart – he knows other nations are still likely to test him against the short ball throughout the World Cup.
"Yeah, of course. Ever since I opened the batting in Sri Lanka there were times they were kept bouncing me," he said.
"I feel like I'm getting better at it and as long as I keep working hard at it I'll be all right."
Watch every ball of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup on Sky Sports, starting with co-hosts New Zealand against Sri Lanka on Sky Sports World Cup on Friday 13 February.
