England coach Trevor Bayliss gives backing to Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler
Tuesday 27 October 2015 15:29, UK
England coach Trevor Bayliss says he is willing to give Moeen Ali another chance to open the batting despite his poor showing in the second Test defeat to Pakistan.
Ali was dismissed twice for one run during the second Test loss to Pakistan and has scored just 48 runs so far in the series in the United Arab Emirates.
England assistant coach Paul Farbrace admitted the 28-year-old was struggling to adapt to his dual role as an opening batsman and front-line off-spinner, while Sir Ian Botham has questioned the decision to promote Ali from No.8 in the batting order.
Bayliss, however, remains keen to stick with the opening batting partnership of Ali and captain Alastair Cook ahead of the third Test which begins on Sunday.
"The opening batting position has not been a success as of yet. Personally, I would probably like to give Mo another opportunity," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"He is a quality player and is in a position that he is a little unfamiliar with, but he is a guy that wants to do it. For me, somebody that wants to go out there and do it, that's a guy you want in your team."
Bayliss also gave his backing to Jos Buttler, who has endured a difficult time with the bat out in the UAE.
The 25-year-old has scored 156 runs at an average of 12 since the start of the Ashes leading to calls for him to be dropped ahead of the third Test.
"It's no secret he needs runs and he's been a bit out of form. That's the game and Cook and I will sit down with him in the next couple of days to discuss that," Bayliss added.
"We know that he is a quality player and I think he'll play a big role in England's future. Like most blokes that have ever played the game, he's going through a rough trot and this is his rough trot.
"But I think he is a quality enough person and player that we'll see a lot better out of him in the future."
