Plane sailing ALI CAN’T WAIT TO TOUR BANGLADESH
NO FROOME AT THE TOP FOR SAD CHRIS
The all-rounder, who hopes to spin England to a 5-0 whitewash success of Pakistan today, admits he can understand why some team-mates may have concerns about travelling and have yet to confirm their availability.
ODI captain Eoin Morgan (below) is one of those players, while others are still undecided after the ECB insisted the tour goes ahead after a security inspection.
The selectors have delayed the squad announcement until next week.
Ali said: “I will definitely go out for the winter. I’m happy to go if selected. I’ve been there five or six times and it’s a great place to play cricket. The conditions are very tough but I enjoy playing over there.
“Everyone has their own views on things but as a team we’ve always backed each other’s decisions.
“There’s no pressure on individuals. It’s up to how that person feels.
“You have to be 100 per cent committed when you go on tour – both mentally and physically – and I am sure whoever is named will be fully focused and prepared to do their best.”
Ali is promising Pakistan no mercy – or sympathy – as England vowed to end a 15-year wait in Cardiff.
Morgan’s men are hell-bent on clinching their first ODI whitewash success today since they did it against Zimbabwe in 2001.
The Worcestershire star insists England want to be the best by the time they host the ICC Trophy in HELD UP: Froome GARY FITZGERALD June. He said: “We want to become No.1 in the world and if we can get our fielding right, to go along with our batting and bowling, we will be a fantastic team. “We’ve scored our three highest totals over the last year and we have personnel in the side who are going to go out and play attacking, positive cricket. “It’s one thing playing positive cricket but you have to be smart at times. “We have players in the side who can take bowlers apart. “But when there is a bit of a wobble we have the likes of Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow who can steady things, as well as keep playing positively. “To win the first four games – and the series – is great. “But we want to finish on another good display and keep winning. The sign of a good team is to win no matter what is at stake. We have a 5-0 series win to aim for.” Rain disrupted England’s preparations yesterday but the forecast is better for today. Bairstow is set to keep his place behind the wicket after his match-winning display with the bat in the fourth ODI in Leeds. England want to rest Jos Buttler again with the Manchester T20 clash with the tourists in mind. Pacemen Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, who both missed the win at Headingley, are expected return. DUTCHMAN Robert Gesink won stage 14 of the Vuelta a Espana after an action-packed 196km trek through the Pyrenees.
But race leader Nairo Quintana retained his 54-second advantage over Britain’s Chris Froome.
The Team Sky star is bidding to become the first rider in 38-years to win the Tour de France and the Vuelta in the same season.
He fended off several attacks from Movistar rider Quintana but was unable to make up any ground on the leader.
But while he was left frustrated, Gesink was thrilled with his stage win. He said: “I’ve not had a great season but I’m happy to be back. I MIKE SWANN had to keep fighting to the last. Ultimately it was enough for the victory.”
Gesink recorded a maiden grand tour stage win when he powered clear from Kenny Elissonde of FDJ and Katusha’s Egor Silin with 300-metres left on the stage from UrdaxDantxarinea to the Col d’Aubisque.
Briton Simon Yates crossed in fifth place as the Orica-BikeExchange rider moved up to fourth in the overall rankings, with team-mate Esteban Chaves third.
Quintana attacked several times on the last of four mountain climbs but could not lose Froome, as they finished 1min 47secs back.
However, home hopes Alberto Contador – who dropped 20 seconds – and Alejandro Valverde, both lost ground to fall out of the leading five.
Some 41 riders broke away 15 kilometres into the race and the gap on the peloton reached five minutes near the top of the first climb, the Col Inharpu, but they were reeled back in on the descent.
Today’s stage 15 will be a 118.5km course, the shortest linear stage of the 2016 Vuelta, from Sabinanigo to the Aramon Formigal Ski Resort, which finishes with a final category one climb of Los Sarrios.