Trevor Bayliss hints at two spinners for second Test against Pakistan

By Ben Reynolds

Image: Adil Rashid could play alongside Moeen Ali at Old Trafford

Trevor Bayliss has said England could field two spinners after Yorkshire's Adil Rashid was called into the squad for the second Investec Test against Pakistan.

Rashid was given the call alongside fit-again Ben Stokes and James Anderson as England look to bounce back from the 75-run first Test defeat at Lord's.

Rashid's three Test appearances so far have come in the spin-friendly conditions of the UAE against the same opponents last year, with England so far reluctant to play two spinners at home, where conditions traditionally suit seam bowling. 

But while Moeen Ali was ineffective at Lord's, Bayliss says it is not impossible for both to play at Old Trafford this week. 

"I've always thought of playing two spinners [at home], at some stage," he said. "Pakistan have three left-arm pace bowlers, who created rough outside the off stump for Moeen. 

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"So looking ahead, if we did happen to have two spinners, they could both play an important part for us."

England's more pressing need is working out how to bat better against Pakistan's leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who rose to the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings after his 10-wicket haul at Lord's.

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"Our batters have to play their spin a lot better," said Bayliss. "Especially in the first innings, I felt we gifted him a few wickets with shots I'm sure the boys would like to replay."

James Anderson and Ben Stokes return from injury for England's second Test with Pakistan at Old Trafford

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