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England coach Trevor Bayliss has hinted that Moeen Ali will replace Adam Lyth as Alastair Cook?s opening batting partner against Pakistan later this year.
After regaining The Ashes by beating Australia 3-2, England head to the United Arab Emirates in January where they face Pakistan in three Tests.
Despite beating the Baggy Greens, several England players have struggled at times, none more so than Lyth who has failed to take his chance as England?s opener.
The Yorkshire star has averaged less than 13 with the bat in the five Ashes Tests, although he did score a century against New Zealand at Headingley earlier in the summer.
Meanwhile, Moeen has often helped to add some vital runs when batting lower in the order and Bayliss accepts that a new role for the Worcestershire player could be on the cards.
When asked if Moeen could partner Cook in the United Arab Emirates, Bayliss said, "Possibly, yes. Moeen is the type of guy who could bat in a few positions in that top seven.
"In the UAE the possibility of playing two spinners will be at the forefront of everyone's thinking, so obviously we'd have to change the team to get a second spinner in.
"Adam Lyth hasn't scored as many runs as he would like. It's a big step-up from county cricket. There are a few positions in the team that we can be stronger and opening batsman will definitely be a discussion point."
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