Moeen Ali finding opener's role tough, Paul Farbrace says
Monday 26 October 2015 10:37, UK
Moeen Ali's dual role as opening batsman and front-line off-spinner is under review, England coach Paul Farbrace says.
Moeen was dismissed for 1 for the second time in the second Test against Pakistan on day four and has scored just 48 runs in four innings as Alastair Cook's partner in the UAE.
England promoted their all-rounder from No 8 to open up a place for second spinner Adil Rashid, but Sir Ian Botham is among those to question the wisdom of the experiment.
And Farbrace told Sky Sports the demands of the dual role are proving hard on Moeen.
"It's a tough ask in this part of the world, where you're going to be bowling a lot of overs," Trevor Bayliss' assistant said.
"For Moeen to go in to open the batting - yes, he's done it at county level - but opening in international cricket in these sorts of conditions is tough. He just looks like he needs to bat 40-50 balls and get himself a score.
"He practises hard, works hard and is a real bonus to have in your team - he's happy to bat from one to eight, but he wants to bat as high as possible.
"This was a way of playing two spinners, and it's just something we'll have to keep looking at and working out what is the best option for this team."
Live coverage of the second Test continues with day four on Sky Sports 2 HD from 5.45am on Sunday. You can also watch without a contract on NOW TV.
