Saturday 17 December 2016 07:05, UK
Sir Ian Botham believes that Moeen Ali is better suited to a position lower down the order in the long term despite the all-rounder hitting an unbeaten 120 batting at No 4 on day one of the fifth Test, in Chennai.
Ali arrived at the crease with England struggling at 21-2 and was dropped on nought before recovering to record his fifth Test century, and his fourth of 2016.
The 29-year-old has been shunted up and down the order throughout his England career but despite his good form this year, Botham argued that the No 4 spot is too high for him.
Asked if Ali has cemented his place in the top order, he replied: "Not at No 4, for me. I think he played well but I still think he offers more down the order. You want him to bowl as well so it's a big ask to go four and bowl 20 or 30 overs as he will over here on these pitches, sometimes even more.
"I still see him down the order, I think he's still too free with his stroke play and in English conditions, in particular, he would struggle at No 4."
Ali's ton helped England to reach 284-4 by the close and Botham feels they will be thrilled with their position given their first hour wobble.
However, he warned that it will take something special from either side to avoid a draw on a good batting surface.
"I think England will be delighted because they could easily have been four down in that morning session," he told Sky Sports.
"They were a different team after lunch and dominated. I thought Moeen Ali was much more fluid with his innings, there was good support too. Joe Root, again, was just short of a hundred and a little unlucky to get a bottom edge.
"All in all though, I think this pitch is going to be difficult to force a result on unless something happens to it. I can't see that at the moment though."
Watch day two of the fifth and final Test, in Chennai, between India and England from 3.45am on Saturday, Sky Sports 2.
