England openers headache as Moeen Ali and Alex Hales slip up against Pakistan A

He’s gone: Alex Hales departs after edging Mir Hamza to first slip in the warm-up match against Pakistan A ahead of next week’s First Test
(Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Tom Collomosse9 October 2015

Moeen Ali and Alex Hales fluffed their lines this morning to leave England with huge doubts about the opener’s position ahead of next week’s First Test against Pakistan.

Both Moeen and Hales were dismissed for low scores against Pakistan A in England’s final game before the serious action begins in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

With no real alternative partner in the squad for captain Alastair Cook, it leaves the touring party with little option but to pick Moeen — who is also the team’s No1 spinner — and hope for the best.

It is hardly ideal preparation for a series against opponents who whitewashed England 3-0 last time they met in the Emirates three years ago.

Moeen was picked as an opener for England’s disastrous World Cup campaign earlier this year, but he batted at No8 in Tests last summer, while Hales has never played for England in the five-day game.

Both were gone inside four overs as Pakistan A left-armers Junaid Khan and Mir Hamza picked up an early wicket apiece.

England, set to bat throughout the second and final day by prior arrangement, were 20 for two after half an hour’s play on what was yet another stifling morning.

Moeen had already played and missed and put a four on the board, albeit through the slips, in the same over from Junaid before he pushed forward firmly in defence and edged to second slip.

An over later, Hales went in strikingly similar fashion to Moeen — this time edging a Hamza delivery to first slip.

Luckily for England, Ian Bell and James Taylor — rivals for a middle-order spot — dealt more confidently with the Pakistan A attack and guided the tourists away from trouble.

Meanwhile, former Australia bowler Shane Warne has offered to help England leg-spinner Adil Rashid build an international career.

Rashid, 27, is expected to make his Test debut in Abu Dhabi next week and Warne, who took 708 Test wickets, would jump at the chance to help develop the Yorkshireman’s game.

He told the Daily Telegraph: “Yes, 100 per cent I would like to work with him. I spoke to him when he was a young kid, he was impressive.

“I help a lot of leg-spinners — or general spinners — during the year and I would love to help Adil Rashid if the opportunity arises. I hope he grabs his chance, it would be great to see England have a leg-spinner.”

Andrew Strauss, England’s director of cricket, and coaches Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace are keen to use specialist coaches on an ad hoc basis, with former Sri Lanka batsman Mahela Jayawardene currently being employed ahead of the Pakistan series.

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