Jason Gillespie rules out England whitewash by Pakistan

Former Australian pacer thinks England is less experienced but more talented than the 2012 squad

Former Australian right-arm fast-bowler Jason Gillespie believes England’s squad is strong enough to avoid a repeat of 3-0 drubbing by Pakistan.

England, the then number one Test team, were whitewashed by Pakistan in the UAE in 2012 but Gillespie thinks Cook’s side might get away with a win in the UAE this time.

“Taking on Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates is a tough assignment but after seeing the squad England have selected for the tour, a repeat of the 3-0 Test series defeat suffered last time does not look on the cards for me. I wouldn’t rule out an away win, either,” wrote Gillespie in his blog for The Guardian.

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“Alastair Cook’s side may be less experienced than the one three years ago but there are good players of spin in that batting lineup and the collective mindset is strong; they will not carry scars from 2012, only a youthful positivity.”

“With the ball, Moeen Ali is developing as a spinner and Adil Rashid, even if he is an unknown quantity at Test level, represents an attacking option.”

Gillespie hailed Alex Hales’ selection in the team terming him as the ‘X-factor cricketer’.

“Alex Hales comes in and he is a batsman I rate highly. He is an X-factor cricketer, which we at Yorkshire saw early this season when he made 236 against us on a Trent Bridge pitch that was doing a bit. He must at least be afforded the same opportunity as those before him but this will of course depend on the make-up of the side in the UAE,” said the former quickie.

Furthermore, Gillespie backed the idea of pushing Moeen Ali up the order to open with captain Cook.

Read: Beating Pakistan in UAE is a big challenge, says McCullum

“The idea of Moeen opening the batting alongside Cook, which would get the extra spinner in while keeping four quicks, has been floated and it is not something I am against. I don’t see why a strokemaker cannot bat there and this left-hander has already shown he is one hell of a cricketer,” he said.

Earlier, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum commented on the Pakistan-England series saying it was one big challenge to down the Misbah-led men in the UAE.

“It is one the toughest places to tour in world cricket,” McCullum told The Guardian.

“We hold that Test win in Sharjah as one of our biggest successes. To beat a strong Pakistan side in those conditions, in my mind, is one of the biggest challenges in the world right now. Some very good teams have gone there and not come away with the spoils.”