England all-rounder Moeen Ali has claimed that he would relish the opportunity to open the batting when the team travel to the UAE for a Test series with Pakistan.
Ali batted at eight as England recorded a 3-2 Ashes triumph over Australia this summer, but there are likely to be changes for the Pakistan series after Adam Lyth struggled at the top of the order.
England head coach Trevor Bayliss recently suggested that Ali could be promoted and the 28-year-old would be open to starting the innings alongside captain Alastair Cook.
"I wouldn't mind opening," he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "But I feel a bit bad talking about that because of Adam Lyth.
"It's probably the hardest job in cricket, opening the batting, especially in The Ashes.
"I really admire the way he stayed bubbly and positive in the changing room when it can be very easy to not give anything to the team. That's a big attribute to have and the reason everyone always likes Lythy. I think he'll come back strong."
Ali, who averages 38.01 with the bat in Test cricket, has never batted higher than number six in any of his 15 matches in the longest format of the game.
Callum Mulvihill
