England to use Ali as opener

England will gamble on Moeen Ali making a huge leap from No 8 to the top of the batting order as Alastair Cook's opening partner in the first Test against Pakistan.

England will gamble on Moeen Ali making a huge leap from No 8 to the top of the batting order as Alastair Cook's opening partner in the first Test against Pakistan.

Published Oct 10, 2015

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England will gamble on Moeen Ali making a huge leap from No 8 to the top of the batting order as Alastair Cook’s opening partner in the first Test, even though he has never performed the role in a first-class match.

Such has been England’s desire to fill their problem position with Moeen that he batted twice yesterday on a chaotic last day of their final practice match. It saw them lose 11 wickets while also giving the out-of-form Jos Buttler two innings.

Yet even though Moeen was dismissed cheaply twice and has just 41 runs from three innings against Pakistan A, England coach Trevor Bayliss all but confirmed he will be preferred to Alex Hales.

‘Mo has probably got his nose in front and Alastair and I will sit down in the next day or so and come up with the XI,’ said Bayliss after four days of largely unsatisfactory preparation here.

‘It’s not ideal but Mo has shown he can play spin and pace bowling and he handled the pressure during the Ashes. If he is batting in the top six it gives opportunities down the order.’

The move has been made mainly to make room for a second spinner in Adil Rashid but also reflects the importance of a man who will have a key bowling role in this three-Test series.

‘There’s not that one person putting their hand up in county cricket saying they must be selected (to open),’ said Bayliss before England moved on to Abu Dhabi for Tuesday’s Test. ‘It’s not perfect but Mo’s the type of player who could well turn himself into that other opener.’

Bayliss admitted there are concerns about Buttler and England will consider handing the gloves to Jonny Bairstow and creating room for James Taylor, who looked their best batsman yesterday in making 61.– Daily Mail

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