Adil Rashid’s inclusion in the 14-man squad for the second Test against Pakistan raised a lot of eyebrows. With off-spinner Moeen Ali retained in the team, Rashid’s inclusion was seen as a no-brainer on the English pitches which traditionally assists the pacers. And now it seems more eyebrows will be raised as England’s head coach Trevor Bayliss has hinted that England can play two spinners in the second Test.
Moeen Ali had a very poor game at Lord’s and it is speculated that Rashid will replace him in the playing XI. However, Bayliss said it is not impossible for both to play at Old Trafford this week.
“I’ve always thought of playing two spinners [at home], at some stage,” he said. “Pakistan have three left-arm pace bowlers, who created rough outside the off stump for Moeen.
“So looking ahead, if we did happen to have two spinners, they could both play an important part for us.”
While the bowlers did a decent task in the first Test, it’s the batsmen’s performance against Pakistani leg-spinner Yasir Shah that will worry Bayliss. Bayliss said that the English batsmen will have to improve a lot.
“Our batters have to play their spin a lot better,” said Bayliss. “Especially in the first innings, I felt we gifted him a few wickets with shots I’m sure the boys would like to replay.”
He also backed new-comer James Vince to deliver with the bat. Vince is under immense pressure to deliver after scoring only 112 runs in four Tests.
“Most of the innings he’s played, I think he has looked very good while he has been there. Personally, I think it would be an injustice if he doesn’t make it,” Bayliss said.
“In the end, it will be the number of runs that determines his longevity in the team. I’m sure he is starting to feel the pressure. He’d like to be scoring more runs. Ask anyone who has been in that situation, it is a difficult thing to go out and play your natural game. He has some work to do. If you think they are good enough and they believe they are, a lot of times they will come good. That’s not 100 percent of the time … but I like to think that (Vince) will play more cricket for England.”
The second match will be played from July 22 at Old Trafford.