‘I would love to be batting back up the order’

England allrounder Moeen Ali says he wouldn't mind opening the batting in the Test team even though he has done never batted at the top of the order in first-class cricket.
Moeen, who has opened in ODI cricket, has an average of 31.20 in 16 Tests, including one century, but has never batted higher than number six.
He was also England's third leading run-scorer in the recent successful Ashes series, batting at number eight. There have been calls for regular opener Adam Lyth to be dropped after he only averaged just more than 12 in five matches against the Aussies.
With England's next tour being to the UAE, to face Pakistan, Moeen is keen to get a promotion in the batting order.
Writing on his blog on the ECB website, Moeen said: "I would love to be batting back up the order, because coming in at number eight it was already 80 for six or something like that.
"Before the series I thought to myself that the best thing I could do was be consistent and hopefully push myself up. I feel I've done that, and I was last man out in both innings in the last Test.
"I certainly wouldn't mind opening, in Tests as well as white-ball cricket – even though I've never done it in first-class cricket, I have in the second team as well as in one-day stuff with Worcestershire and England."
Latest
-
News
Scott Borthwick hits century as Durham get better of Essex at Chelmsford
Essex fell apart on the opening day of their County Championship clash with Durham.
-
News
Babar Azam wants to top rankings in Test cricket as well
Currently sixth on the Test batting rankings, Babar Azam hopes to change that as soon as possible.
-
News
Cricket Australia announces contracted women’s players for 2021-22
Australia Women will host India and England this summer before heading to New Zealand for the ICC World Cup in March, 2022.
-
News
On this day in 2009: Andy Flower appointed England team director
The former Zimbabwe captain had been in charge on an interim basis since the previous January following Peter Moores’ sacking.
-
News
Wisden salute Jason Holder’s leadership with spot among Cricketers of the Year
Holder joins England batsmen Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley, Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens.
-
News
Stuart Broad: The time I made cover of Wisden and nobody could tell it was me…
Two themes loom large within the 1,248 pages: coronavirus and racism.
-
News
Sunrisers Hyderabad looking to build from opening defeat
The Sunrisers Hyderabad were the 2016 IPL champions.
-
News
Babar Azam usurps King Kohli’s ODI Rankings crown
Babar Azam is just the fourth Pakistan batsman to hold the top spot on the ICC ODI Rankings since their inception.
-
News
Heath Streak banned for eight years over anti-corruption charges
Heath Streak is alleged to have facilitated corrupt approaches to players in both international and domestic cricket.
-
News
Sophia Dunkley excited by England’s summer Test date with India
The teams, who will meet at Bristol in June, have not played each other in the format since 2014.