Ali rides the wave of fans’ appreciation

DEAN WILSON

MOEEN ALI wanted to entertain the Old Trafford fans chanting his name, but could not go as far as to give them a wave.

He saved that for his family when he reached 50 with a towering six off Keshav Maharaj (above, with Faf du Plessis) that team-mate Jonny Bairstow caught cleanly on the England balcony.

But Moeen got a lively crowd rocking to his tune with a series of shots that broke South African hearts, but had English ones soaring.

“I just felt that the way I was playing and the way the crowd were with me I had enough confidence to just hit it,” said Moeen of his 50.

“I saw Jonny catch it and I saw Rooty take the mickey out of him.

“I’ve always had the backing to go out and play with that freedom and I decided once I was out there that I was going to play like that.

“The crowd asked me to wave at them a couple of times, but it is difficult to do that when you’re batting.

“It can help with the momentum at place like here and Edgbaston where the crowd get on your side. You ride the wave a little bit and keep them going.

“I like to entertain and when I’m in that rhythm I like to go with the crowd.

“It was great to be able to play like that, I had my family here watching me too and I did spot them and wave when I got my 50. It was good fun.”