Moeen Ali has insisted that he will be "happy" to bat at number eight during the upcoming four-Test series away in South Africa.

The all-rounder was moved up to the position of opener alongside captain Alastair Cook for the recent trip to the United Arab Emirates to face Pakistan, but he struggled to score runs on a consistent basis.

Alex Hales has since been drafted in to partner Cook, while Ali is expected to drop back down the order against the Proteas.

"I can't wait. I'm actually looking forward to going back to eight and playing a few shots, hopefully freeing up," he told reporters.

"Obviously opening didn't work. I enjoyed it and it was a really good experience but I didn't score the runs I'd have liked.

"I probably got caught in two minds at times whether to attack or not but things like that happen. I'm happy and I don't mind where I bat."

Ali took six wickets earlier today as England beat South Africa A by an innings in their final warm-up encounter.