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Moeen Ali hailed after putting South Africa in a spin in final Test at Old Trafford
Moeen Ali is on his way to becoming a “world-class spin bowler” after sweeping up the man-of-the-match and player-of-the-series accolades against South Africa.
Moeen joined Sir Ian Botham in becoming an England all-rounder to take 25 wickets and score more than 250 runs in the same series as he helped finish off South Africa at Old Trafford. His five for 65 on Monday followed a hat-trick in the Oval Test and ten wickets at Lord’s and was capped with an unbeaten 75 in Manchester as South Africa were beaten 3-1 in the series.
England tried to take pressure off Moeen this summer by playing down his status as their leading spin bowler and Trevor Bayliss, the coach, said: “Maybe the psychology is working.” He did admit though that has changed.
“There is no doubt he is our No 1 spinner. We are all hoping he turns into a world-class spinner. What he has done in this series puts him well on the way. He has still got a bit of work to do and knowing Mo he will not leave anything to chance. He is one of the hardest workers in the team. Most people were astounded when that stat [equalling Botham] came out. There are no histrionics about him. He is a great team man.”
South Africa’s captain Faf Du Plessis admitted feeling envious of England’s trio of all-rounders – Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen.
“He [Moeen] is a real dangerous cricketer and any captain would love to have him in their side,” Du Plessis said. “He is an unbelievable off-spinner. He is just one guy of a few all-rounders in their team that is so destructive. We get into a position where we have their batting order under pressure then either Stokes, Bairstow or Ali comes in. They only need one to fire because the way they play they will take the game away from you.”
Joe Root said the hammering at Trent Bridge two weeks ago acted as a “watershed” for his side and the way they responded in the final two Tests set the template for future performances.
“It is a start of something,” he said. “It is going to take us time to develop. If we want to be consistent and make sure we keep challenging the best teams in the world we are going to have to look to improve.”
The England selectors meet this week with Bayliss admitted the top-five positions have not been “nailed down” and with Keaton Jennings set to be dropped after failing to take his chance to end his run of poor form at Old Trafford. Haseeb Hameed scored his first fifty of the season on Monday for Lancashire to add further pressure on his place. Alex Hales’ double hundred batting at five for Nottinghamshire was timely, although Gary Ballance’s lack of cricket will rule against him returning.
“Whether he plays or not he [Jennings] is still an option to go to Australia,” said Bayliss. “I would be surprised if we don’t take more than a couple of opening batters. If he does not play [against the West Indies] there are some matches coming up for Durham that give him the chance to get back in form.”
England are resigned to losing bowling coach, Ottis Gibson, this week with him close to agreeing to take over the South Africa team, although the ECB are set to ask for compensation from their rivals.