Mo set for a second

MOEEN ALI is likely to be given another audition for the No 3 role for the winter in the fifth and final Test at The Oval this week.

Coach Trevor Bayliss said the all-rounder’s ability to handle spin puts him in a strong position to nail down the spot at first drop for tours to Sri Lanka in October and West Indies early next year.

And after his surprise elevation in the second innings at the Ageas Bowl, and with captain Joe Root keen to bat at four, Bayliss conceded Moeen could get a second bite in the last match of the summer.

“Mo was given a go at No 3 in the second innings [he made nine] and we have winter tours to the subcontinent and the West Indies,” said Bayliss. “In Mo’s favour he plays spin reasonably well so he has a chance.

“In the right conditions I would not put it past him being able to bat at three. He works hard at his game. And in spinning conditions he can cover that pretty well at the moment. His challenge will be on the faster wickets but we haven’t got any of those for a while. I’m sure there will be some long discussions about the make-up of the squad after this series is done.”

Alastair Cook’s retirement and the pressing need for another opener creates yet more uncertainty in a batting order with more problems than solutions.

Keaton Jennings has hardly set the summer alight for all that he batted with more confidence than previously in the second