Bayliss: Moeen still a ‘batter that bowls a little’
England coach Trevor Bayliss insists Moeen Ali is still seen as a batsman that bowls a little after the off-spinner returned career-best figures in the first Test victory against South Africa at Lord’s on Sunday.
Moeen took 6-53 in the second innings for a match-haul of 10 wickets as England beat the Proteas by 211 runs to go 1-0 up in the four-match series.
ALSO READ: Root hails aggressive Moeen after Lord’s show
The Worcestershire allrounder, who also scored 87 with the bat in England’s first innings, has certainly come a long way with his bowling and still considers himself batsman first.
Bayliss said England will continue to pick a “number one spinner” with Moeen offering a more supporting role.
Speaking after the victory at Lord’s, the England coach said: “We’ll stick with one spinner and one batter that bowls a little. And that’s important for Mo more than anything.
“He wants to be in the team as a batter that bowls a bit so we’ve selected him as a batter and the second spinner. It takes that little bit of pressure off him. He does see himself as a batter first and a spinner second.
“And I suppose that doesn’t mean he’s still not our best spinner but his No. 1 job is to bat.”
The second Test starts at Trent Bridge on Friday.
Latest
-
NewsJonny Bairstow and Joe Root lead England to whitewash victory over New Zealand
England needed just 15.2 overs to win.
-
NewsIn pictures: Eoin Morgan’s international career with England
Morgan has played a record 248 one-day internationals.
-
NewsThe key moments in the reign of Eoin Morgan as England captain
Morgan has played a record 248 one-day internationals.
-
EnglandEngland captain Eoin Morgan set to announce international retirement on Tuesday
The 35-year-old led England to the 2019 World Cup title.
-
EnglandJack Leach enjoying life in ‘extremely positive’ England set-up
Leach’s first 10-wicket Test match haul and half-centuries from Ollie Pope and Joe Root have left England on course for a 3-0 series win.
-
County CricketHashim Amla and Ben Geddes hit hundreds as Surrey take control against Kent
The pair produced a third-wicket stand of 213 after the hosts were asked to bat.
-
EnglandJack Leach career-best puts England on course for New Zealand series whitewash
Spinner Leach took 10 wickets in a Test match for the first time.
-
EnglandNew-look England set for ‘exciting time’ as they gear up for South Africa Test
The absence of Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole has opened the door for new faces to make their mark.
-
EnglandEngland set 296 for series sweep as Jack Leach claims first 10-wicket Test haul
Leach finished with second-innings figures of five for 66 as New Zealand were bowled out for 326.
-
EnglandEngland thwarted by Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell again at Headingley
England drew a blank over the course of two difficult hours on Sunday.