Moeen Ali is set to fill the shoes of Ben Stokes at no 6 in the England batting order with Jonny Bairstow given the task of leading tailend resistance.

It had been thought that the England batsmen in the lower middle order would shift up one place in the absence of Stokes meaning Bairstow would bat six, and Moeen seven.

But even though he has had little time in the middle on tour so far England believe Moeen’s best position will be six where he can either counter attack or play a more patient rebuilding role.

Bairstow is an excellent farmer of the strike with tailenders and England know how important that role is in Australia following the last series here when Brad Haddin saved many lost causes for Australia.