Samit Patel’s chances of featuring in the second Test between England and Pakistan have been heightened by captain Alastair Cook’s admission that the tourists could select three spinners in Dubai.
The Nottinghamshire all-rounder, one of three twirlers in the touring party alongside Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid - both of whom played in Abu Dhabi - will be even more likely to come into the reckoning should Ben Stokes not recover from illness.
"It would have to be an option with a dry wicket," said Cook on the possibility of playing all three.
"We said at the beginning of the tour this squad has that option - all the spinners bat well.
"Ben's bowling at six gives us balance - we bat down to eight definitely.
"He's had a virus, a 24-hour bug. He didn't look very well yesterday apparently. He should be fine, but we've got to be careful.
"Ben is concern, but everyone has pulled up pretty well. My gut instinct is we stay unchanged.”
The captain’s selection hints are a blow, therefore, to the chances of Alex Hales and James Taylor, both of whom appear set to miss out for the second Test match in succession.
Moeen Ali will continue in his new role at the top of the order and England are likely to keep faith with Jos Buttler after the Lancashire wicketkeeper scored 23 and four in Abu Dhabi.
Cook knows history is against England if they are to take the lead in the three match series, but he has predicted a more exciting five days than the recent run-fest at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
"It's the same challenge really - two good sides in their home conditions,” he said.
"No one has beaten Pakistan here yet, and it would be great to be the first side to do it.
"It should be a better cricket wicket,” the England captain continued comparing the pitch he saw today with the surface at the same venue in 2012.
"It will turn more and be a bit quicker - last time there was more for the seamers.
"It's a unique stadium - the shadow is still there at 10am, and that allows for dampness in the wicket and movement."
Leg-spinner Yasir Shah is likely to return for the tourists having missed the first Test with back spasms.
The 29-year-old has taken 61 wickets in ten Test matches to date, including becoming the fastest player in his country’s history to 50 wickets.
Play gets underway in Abu Dhabi at 7am UK time.
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