Birthday special: Moeen Ali – Top 3 performances in international cricket
Star England cricketer Moeen Ali turned 36 on June 18. The spin all-rounder has been an integral part of England’s squad in all three formats ever since his debut in 2014. Ali has represented England in 64 Tests, 129 ODIs and 74 T20Is and has picked 226 wickets across formats. He has also scored 6,202 runs across formats proving his mettle as an all-rounder. The Birmingham-born cricketer was part of England’s successful campaigns in the 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup. As he turns 36, let’s take a look at his top three performances in international cricket:
3/24, 31(24) vs West Indies, 2nd T20I, Bridgetown, January 23, 2022
After West Indies won the toss and elected to field first, England posted a good total of 171/8 in the first innings. Moeen contributed with the bat, scoring 31 off 24 balls with the help of three fours and a six in his innings. He later picked up 3/24 with the ball to help his side win the thrilling game by one run. The 35-year-old rounder was deserved awarded Player of the Match for his all-round show.
4/45 vs South Africa, 3rd Test, the Oval, July 2017
South Africa were set a massive target of 492 in the fourth innings and were staring at a defeat on 252/7 with only Dean Elgar (136) holding one end. Captain Joe Root brought Moeen Ali who had dismissed Chris Morris early in the innings and the off-spinner didn’t disappoint as he dismissed Elgar on the fifth ball of his over. He further dismissed Kagiso Rabada for a golden duck and was on a hat trick. The spinner trapped Morne Morkel lbw on the first ball of his next over and completed a hat trick and England won the game by 239 runs, with Moeen finishing with figures of 4/45 in 16.1 overs.
10/112, 87 vs South Africa, 1st Test, Lord’s July 2017
England won the toss and elected to bat first and ended up posting 458 on the board as Moeen Ali contributed with his knock of 87. He further picked up 4/59 to help restrict South Africa to 361 in their first innings. England got bundled out for 233 in the second innings and set a target of 331 runs for the Proteas in the fourth innings. Moeen once again shone with the ball and bowled his team to victory with his spell of 6/53 in 15 overs as South Africa got bundled out for just 119. England won the game by 211 runs and Moeen was awarded Player of the Match for his all-round show.
