Rolling on a rough incline

For pure rolling, we know that $a=R \alpha$ . So $\alpha$ must be opposite to $a$ at the bottom most point and the $a$ is down the inclined plane so $\alpha$ must be clockwise. Since friction is the only force providing torque, so it must be up the inclined plane so as to provide clockwise $\alpha$ .

If the force of friction is not sufficient, i.e. the pure rolling does not happen, then also friction will be up the inclined plane so as to minimise the slipping.