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Moeen Ali to open against Sri Lanka A

Mooen Ali is selected to partner Alastair Cook in the tour match against Sri Lanka A on Friday.

Moeen Ali has been selected to be Alastair Cook's opening partner for England's tour match against Sri Lanka A on Friday.

Alex Hales was expected to continue his partnership with Cook ahead of the one-day international series, but the Nottinghamshire batsman has been told by the England skipper that it is not a "final decision" ahead of next year's World Cup.

"Alex has progressed quickly," head coach Peter Moores told reporters. "The fact he has managed to climb to number one in the world as a T20 player means there is a lot of talent there - and explosive talent at that.

"When you play international cricket and come up against the same team time and again, people will always find a kink somewhere - and the key is how you adapt.

"India started to bring the ball back into Alex and bowl spin at him, so he has to decide what else he is going to come back at them with."

England will play two tour matches before starting the ODI series against Sri Lanka in Colombo next Wednesday.

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Alastair Cook of England speaks at a press conference after defeating Australia during game four of the One Day International series between Australia and England at WACA on January 24, 2014
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