‘Energised’ Moeen has found his old magic
MOEEN ALI has put his Ashes nightmare behind him after being ‘energised’ in an England white-ball team that is closing in on another 50-over series victory. Moeen took three wickets in England’s thrilling last-ball win against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday and talked of how returning to the limited-overs environment has been like a tonic for him. England’s off-spinning all-rounder began his rehabilitation from an Ashes series that could not have gone worse for him during the one-day matches that followed against Australia. Now, having got back to his best in the 4-1 series triumph, he has again reached the heights that saw him have a spectacular home summer last year. ‘I’ve just felt energised in white-ball cricket after a difficult few months,’ said Moeen after his man-of-thematch performance in the third one-day international. ‘There have been new players around and different characters in what is a bit more of a younger side. As a team we’re a lot more confident in white-ball cricket and that environment is good for anyone.’ It was revealing that captain Eoin Morgan talked of how pleased he was that Moeen and his fellow slow bowler Adil Rashid stepped up when they were most needed on Saturday to take five quick wickets between them. ‘We both knew we were the guys who were going to have to win this game but I didn’t feel pressure,’ insisted Moeen as England prepared to take their 2-1 series lead to New Zealand’s south island for the final two matches. Meanwhile, bad light robbed Australia of a four-day victory in South Africa as the tourists left the field just one wicket away from a commanding win in the first Test in Durban.