'England need to protect future Test captain'
Tuesday 25 August 2015 17:10, UK
International cricketers these days spend so much time on the road and away from home that when there is a chance for some downtime you've got to let them take it.
I'm glad that Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler have been picked, as at this stage they need the experience of another one-day battle more than a few weeks resting up.
But England will be mindful of the workload they are placing on Joe, arguably their best player, definitely their Test captain in waiting and someone who will be a major part of the team's busy autumn and winter in the UAE.
A break should be good for him and, in Moeen Ali, England have a pretty competent replacement.
Moeen looks the most logical man to step in and bat at No3, the berth Joe filled so well in the series win over New Zealand earlier this summer.
He is a fluent and aggressive batsman but would also bring a second spin option alongside Adil Rashid. That will probably give him the edge over James Taylor, a man who does a lot right and very little wrong whenever he is called upon.
Moeen is also an option at the top of the order, particularly with him being mentioned as a potential opener in the Test side in the UAE due to his ability to play spin.
But I hope England persist with the exciting partnership of Alex Hales and Jason Roy.
Hales should be given the opportunity to stamp his authority and prove he is the man to partner Alastair Cook in the five-day arena.
Those two glimmered in patches against New Zealand, while Hales should be given the opportunity to stamp his authority and prove he is the man to partner Alastair Cook in the five-day arena.
It's a shame for Jonny Bairstow to miss out on a call-up after he sealed England's victory over New Zealand with a wonderful innings in Durham, but it's an understandable decision by the selectors.
Moeen is back to bolster the batting and Sam Billings did enough against the Black Caps, where he batted unselfishly in that kamikaze position of No 7, to be persevered with.
There is no reason to put Bairstow in the squad, wheel him from ground to ground and not pick him when he can go back to Yorkshire and help them win the County Championship again.
Bowling-wise, the fit-again Chris Woakes has been recalled in place of Chris Jordan and that is an upgrade for me.
Jordan is a brilliant fielder and handy lower-order batsman but from what I've seen his bowling isn't up to international class on a regular basis.
Watch England's limited-overs series with Australia live on Sky Sports, starting with a T20 clash in Cardiff on Monday, August 31. Coverage begins at 2.30pm on Sky Sports Ashes.
