Trevor Bayliss has suggested Moeen Ali will be moved down the batting order in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
And the England head coach says all three wicketkeeper-batsmen – Ben Foakes, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow – could play in Kandy.
Joe Roots side took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after England secured their first-ever Test win in Galle, defeating Sri Lanka by 211 runs.
Bairstow missed the match because of an ankle injury but is expected to be fit for selection in the second Test that starts on Wednesday.
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But his replacement, Surreys Foakes, scored a century in Galle, providing a dilemma for Bayliss, Root and the selectors.
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Whoever is left out, it appears Moeen will move down the batting order after Bayliss said the all-rounder hasnt been able to take advantage of his chances at No. 3.
Moeen scored just three runs in the 211-run victory, and appears better suited to a role in Englands middle or lower order.
On whether Bairstow will return to the side, Bayliss told BBC Sport: Foakesy obviously showed what a class keeper he is.
On the other hand I dont think Jonny has done a lot wrong over the last couple of years. How we fit everyone in is the big question.
Perhaps we can get them all in, three wicket-keepers who are among our best fielders, so that wouldnt be a problem.
Alec Stewart, meanwhile, has warned Bairstow he must be prepared to play as a specialist batsmen with Foakes starring on debut.
Surreys director cricket called Foakes the best wicketkeeper in the world 18 months ago and he stands by that verdict.
Jonny is not going to be happy [if he loses the gloves] because he has made it well known that he is a batsman-wicketkeeper and hes been an outstanding batsman-wicketkeeper for England, Stewart said.
When Jos Buttler kept [against India in the summer] he made his feelings known which he is entitled to do, he wants to be the wicketkeeper.
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But there is a difference between what you want and what the selectors actually decide, you dont always get your own way.
Foakes is the best wicketkeeper, Ive gone on record now for the past 18 months saying how good he is. Hes the best, not just in England but in the world, across the international game.
Foakes has shown hes the best keeper. Buttler is very good, Bairstow is very good but Foakes is the best and therefore Foakes will keep the gloves.
Jonny, whether he plays or not, has to accept that until Foakes gets injured or messes up that he is the back-up wicketkeeper-batsman and hes now going to have to think as a frontline batter.
More: Cricket
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Trevor Bayliss has suggested Moeen Ali will be moved down the batting order in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
And the England head coach says all three wicketkeeper-batsmen – Ben Foakes, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow – could play in Kandy.
Joe Roots side took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after England secured their first-ever Test win in Galle, defeating Sri Lanka by 211 runs.
Bairstow missed the match because of an ankle injury but is expected to be fit for selection in the second Test that starts on Wednesday.
More: Cricket
But his replacement, Surreys Foakes, scored a century in Galle, providing a dilemma for Bayliss, Root and the selectors.
Advertisement Advertisement
Whoever is left out, it appears Moeen will move down the batting order after Bayliss said the all-rounder hasnt been able to take advantage of his chances at No. 3.
Moeen scored just three runs in the 211-run victory, and appears better suited to a role in Englands middle or lower order.
On whether Bairstow will return to the side, Bayliss told BBC Sport: Foakesy obviously showed what a class keeper he is.
On the other hand I dont think Jonny has done a lot wrong over the last couple of years. How we fit everyone in is the big question.
Perhaps we can get them all in, three wicket-keepers who are among our best fielders, so that wouldnt be a problem.
Alec Stewart, meanwhile, has warned Bairstow he must be prepared to play as a specialist batsmen with Foakes starring on debut.
Surreys director cricket called Foakes the best wicketkeeper in the world 18 months ago and he stands by that verdict.
Jonny is not going to be happy [if he loses the gloves] because he has made it well known that he is a batsman-wicketkeeper and hes been an outstanding batsman-wicketkeeper for England, Stewart said.
When Jos Buttler kept [against India in the summer] he made his feelings known which he is entitled to do, he wants to be the wicketkeeper.
Advertisement Advertisement
But there is a difference between what you want and what the selectors actually decide, you dont always get your own way.
Foakes is the best wicketkeeper, Ive gone on record now for the past 18 months saying how good he is. Hes the best, not just in England but in the world, across the international game.
Foakes has shown hes the best keeper. Buttler is very good, Bairstow is very good but Foakes is the best and therefore Foakes will keep the gloves.
Jonny, whether he plays or not, has to accept that until Foakes gets injured or messes up that he is the back-up wicketkeeper-batsman and hes now going to have to think as a frontline batter.
More: Cricket
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