We three can rule the world
MOEEN ALI is loving being part of the most dangerous trio in world cricket and says he cannot wait to tackle Australia this winter in company with his all-round buddies.
Moeen was in devastating form against South Africa, taking 25 wickets with his off-spin and scoring 252 runs as part of a package alongside Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow that is fast becoming the envy of the world game.
And he believes the muscle they add to the middle order with the bat means they are never more dangerous than when their backs are to the wall.
“We are all the same with the bat. If Stokesy hasn’t scored runs or made that impact with the bat, I feel like it is my duty to do that and Jonny is exactly the same,” said Moeen.
“If two have failed, the other guy has got to do something. That is great and I feel that six, seven and eight is strong. We score so quickly and freely, it’s entertaining and we want to keep that going.”
Moeen and Stokes are ranked as the fourth and fifth best all-rounders in the world game and Bairstow is the highestranked wicketkeeper in Test batting lists at seven.
The trio batted five, six and seven in the first two Tests as England played two spinners before going down a place at the Oval and Old Trafford when Liam Dawson was dropped.
That flexibility England options as gives they REPORTS make plans for the Ashes. With a century and seven fifties and all three scoring over 250 runs in four Tests, the temptation to shift them up a place will be strong, particularly with Chris Woakes to come back as a hard-hitting eight.
Moeen, who may end up batting at six behind Stokes, finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series with 25 and credited work done with spin coach Saqlain Mushtaq for his improvement.
While the numbers may tell a different story, in his mind he maintains he is at his most effective with bat in hand, and the higher up the order the better.
“I still believe I am a batsman. I feel like it is the strong point of my game and when the opportunity comes to bat up the order, hopefully I can do that,” he said.
“In India, I was batting four and five, which was nice; here I started seven and went down to eight. But the team needed that in this series. After the second game, we definitely needed a second batter and that worked out. No matter how many wickets I get, I’m definitely always going to be a batter.”
Moeen showed increased maturity with the ball against South Africa which bodes well for the winter and he admitted that Mushtaq has encouraged him to understand his art a little better.
“I understand more about my action, field settings and types of batters that are in,” he said.
“I understand my bowling a lot more than previously. I want to learn more about bowling and I’ve practised more in this series than I have ever done.”
Moeen has the chance for some easy wickets against West Indies but is trying not to look too far ahead.
“You always try to perform to get on the Ashes tour. Even though you try not to think about it, it is a massive series and you hope to be part of it,” he said.
“But we have three important games against West Indies when we will need to play well and then, hopefully, be on that flight.
“It is quite tough for spinners in Australia but if I do get on that plane I’m looking forward to the challenge.”