LONDON: England coach Trevor Bayliss has hinted at Moeen Ali could be Alastair Cook’s opening partner in England tour UAE against Pakistan.
England have beaten Australia in the Ashes series 3-2 but the opener Adam Lyth failed to impress in the series.
Trevor Bayliss indicated the possible change in the squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan in United Arab Emirates.
Bayliss struck a note of warning as he made it clear that the selectors won’t be shy of making changes ahead of forthcoming tours against Pakistan and then South Africa.
England opener Adam Lyth has looked especially out of his depth, having scored just 115 runs in nine innings this Ashes at an average of 12.77.
Bayliss hinted the 27-year-old was unlikely to retain his place when England head to the United Arab Emirates for the Pakistan series.
With Lyth unlikely to feature against Pakistan, there is a vacancy to partner Cook at the top of the order.
Moeen Ali, the England spinner who batted down the order at The Oval, and Nottinghamshire’s Alex Hales have been touted as potential openers.
Bayliss said Ali would be considered for the role because it would allow England to play two spinners on the slow UAE pitches, potentially opening up a place for leg-break bowler Adil Rashid.
