Ali has everyone in a spin

BY the time Moeen Ali’s hat-trick wrapped up victory at the Kia Oval it was hard to tell who he had more conclusively left in a spin, South Africa’s last three batsmen or the England management.

Just two games ago, England head coach Tr e v o r B a y l i s s h a d cheerily described Moeen as “a batter who bowls a bit” and, in Joe Root’s first two games as captain, he threw the ball to Liam Dawson, since dropped and possibly not to be seen again, before Moeen.

In his final Test of 2016, he scored 146 and 44 against India in Chennai and was rewarded by dropping down three places in the batting order at the next time of asking. This week, recast as firstchoice spinner in a field of one, he was down to No 8.

It continues a dizzying journey up and down the order, which has seen him open the batting alongside Alastair Cook in the United Arab Emirates and, on three occasions, feeding on scraps at No 9.

Moeen would be forgiven for a touch of motion sickness, unable to put down roots in any one position or be fully confident in his directions with ball in hand — but that is not his style.

In musical parlance, he is an arch accompaniest, an occasional virtuoso who is happy to operate out of the spotlight, in permanent service to the England song.

When he brought up the landmark double of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets in the first Test of the series it provided a rare chance for pundits and peers t o match his record against the very best. And the comparison has elevated Moeen.

Moeen Ali