Sunday, January 11th, 2015

Moeen To Open With Bell In Tri-Series Warm-Up Fixture In Canberra

Moeen To Open With Bell In Tri-Series Warm-Up Fixture In Canberra

Moeen Ali will have a new opening partner for England's opening Tri-Series warm-up fixture against an Australian Capital Territory X1 in Canberra tomorrow.

The Worcestershire all-rounder will be in tandem with Warwickshire's Ian Bell at the top of the order with Nottinghamshire's James Taylor to bat at number three.

Moeen launched his ODI career in the West Indies last winter in partnership with Michael Lumb.

He returned to open in Sri Lanka last month alongside Alastair Cook apart from one game with Alex Hales when the then England skipper was suspended.

Moeen impressed in that seven game series, which England lost 5-2, and scored his maiden ODI century in Colombo.

He finished as England's second highest scorer behind Joe Root.

Cook has since been relieved of his duties and not included in the squad for the Tri-Series or the ICC World Cup.

New ODI captain Eoin Morgan confirmed: "Tomorrow the top three will be Ali, Bell and Taylor. The first opportunity goes to those guys.

"All three look in great form as did everybody who batted yesterday (in the nets). It was a really good surface to bat on.

"Opportunity lands with them and we'll see how they go."