Ali breaks Indian resistance to help win series

Moeen Ali finally broke India’s resistance as England sealed the Specsavers series with a 60-run win after a titanic struggle in Southampton.

The world’s number one team pushed England into the penultimate evening of the fourth Test, thanks to a century fourth-wicket stand between Virat Kohli (58) and Ajinkya Rahane (51).

However, Moeen (four for 71) took his match haul to nine wickets and India lost four for 13 soon after tea to give England an unassailable 3-1 lead with one match to play. India’s target, one they have exceeded just once in their history to win outside Asia, was 245 after England were bowled out for 271 in their second innings.

Kohli especially and Rahane made Joe Root sweat, but Moeen eventually dismissed both on an increasingly helpful pitch, in a total of 184 all out.

Captain Joe Root said it was the way England performed as a team which pleased him most. He said: “Credit to the group. They were up against it from that first morning. I think more than anything trying to keep the guys calm and it wasn’t too difficult as a captain.”

“Today was probably the best I’ve seen (Moeen) bowl in an England shirt. That’s such a testament to the way he has gone about things and the way he has come back.”

Kohli admitted it was the way England approached the Test which gave them the edge.

He said: “England worked hard, they were relentless with the ball.”