Vaughan: Moeen Ali not a no.3 in Test cricket

Moeen Ali is batting in the wrong position according to the former England captain, and should be moved further down the order

Michael Vaughan thinks Moeen Ali has not worked at no.3 for England since being given the role, and will not work in the future.

Speaking on The Cricket Social after Ali was dismissed for a golden duck by Sri Lanka's Suranga Lakmal, the former England captain argued that "having him at no.3 isn't going to work in the future and it's not worked today".

"He's not a no.3 in Test match cricket. In Test cricket, your no.3 has to be a high-class top order batsman. They'll say 'oh yeah, but he bats a 3 for Worcestershire' - that's county cricket, it's not going to work."

^{Ali was bowled for a duck}

"He's at his most effective for England in Test match cricket in that engine room, where he can just come out and attack. Down at 6, 7, and 8, Moeen Ali comes in when the bowlers are a little bit tired, the ball's a little bit older, and he can just play his natural game.

"At no.3, he looks like he's thinking too much about batting. I like Moeen when goes out and there and all he's thinking about is watching the ball and being aggressive."

Ali was moved to no.3 for the fourth Test of England's series with India at the Ageas Bowl. His Test career has seen him bat in every position from 1-9, and the statistics backup Vaughan's argument. Over 26 innings at 7 he averages 44.90, whereas at 3 he averages just 21.00.