MOEEN SHUNS HIS NEW-FOUND FAME
IT IS not easy to avoid attention if you are England’s new allrounding hero Moeen Ali, who has become one of the most recognisable faces in the game and gained a cult following. ‘I guess the beard naturally gets noticed,’ said Moeen, back on home turf in Birmingham ahead of tomorrow’s first Test against West Indies after his man-of-the-series performances against South Africa. ‘I try to go to places where I won’t be recognised because it doesn’t do anything for me. But if people want a picture it can be nice for the kids. I even took my son to a farm the other day and a couple of people recognised me.’ It was certainly not easy for Moeen to retain anonymity when he watched his beloved Liverpool play at Watford on Saturday. ‘I ended up going on the pitch and was quite embarrassed,’ he said. ‘I had to tell them I was a Liverpool fan so I got a bit of flak but they were good. I was surprised how many knew who I was.’ He will have to get used to it after taking 25 wickets against South Africa. ‘I’m understanding more about my bowling,’ said Moeen. ‘When I first came into the side I felt my strength was to get wickets but then I moved away from that and tried to be tight and safe. ‘Then before South Africa I talked to Joe Root and Saqlain Mushtaq (England’s spin coach) and said: “Right, I want to go back to just thinking about taking wickets”. What I’ve learnt is that I actually bowl a bit tighter when I try to attack as well.’ Moeen won’t be trying to cash in on his new-found fame. ‘I get loads of offers but I turn most of them down,’ he said. So he doesn’t want to be in the running for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award then? ‘Oh no, I don’t think so,’ squirmed Moeen. ‘I’d be too embarrassed to go there. I’m on tour when they hold it? That’s perfect.’