'His career is on the line': Aussie Test great puts the pressure on under-performing Moeen Ali

Former Australian Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy has put the pressure on England all-rounder Moeen Ali after a disappointing start to his Ashes series.

After failing to trouble the scorers in England's first innings, Ali once again struggled to curtain Australia's run-scoring on Day 3, despite picking up the wicket of Cameron Bancroft.

Speaking on Nine's coverage, Healy said Ali was potentially playing for his career on Day four with England needing the spinner to make early inroads.

"The one that's not working is Moeen Ali, nine overs, 1/47," he said.

"So he's going poorly with the bat, and has done for a while, now he's really got to change that economy. He can't go for five runs an over in this particular day.

"He's got to produce quality like Nathan Lyon did yesterday. His career is on the line.

"This is where he's got to perform. They're under pressure. He's definitely under pressure and he needs a good day today and a good series."

Ali, who owns a career Test batting average of 29.55 with five centuries to his name, has struggled to cross the half-century mark against Australia since the 2015 Ashes series.

The left-hander averaged 46.86 during the calendar year of 2016, but has seen his batting noticeably slip since then, averaging just 19.14 and 10.75 in the last two calendar years, respectively.

With James Anderson ruled out for the remainder of the Test, England desperately needs wickets from Ali, who has struggled mightily with the ball in 11 Tests against Australia.

In five Tests this year, Ali has taken 17 wickets at an average of 26, but has taken just 19 wickets in 11 Tests against Australia with a flattering average of 63.94.

If England hopes to keep the tourists to a manageable fourth-innings lead, it will need its lead spinner to start performing on the turning wicket.