Moeen helps turn Test England’s way

All-rounder hails efforts of team-mates as West Indies are set stiff test

All-rounder Moeen Ali paid tribute to the “fantastic” effort of the England team after they took control of the second Test against West Indies at Headingley.

England had started the day with a lead of two runs but ended it 316 ahead after Moeen, Joe Root, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes all reached half-centuries.

Moeen told Sky Sports Cricket: “It was a fantastic day. I thought the fight we showed throughout the day was fantastic. To have that lead is important.”

Moeen admitted England, who posted 490 for eight in their second innings, were delighted to be in with such a strong chance of winning the Test on the final day, which West Indies will begin on five without loss.

“Realistically we were thinking (a lead of ) maybe 180 at one point. At the end of yesterday’s play we thought if we had some sort of lead, about 180, we might have a chance (of winning).”

Moeen praised the patient innings of Malan whose 61 from 186 deliveries in only his fourth Test helped glue the England innings together.

“We feel like it was a fantastic innings,” Moeen said. “The way he played he probably felt like he struggled a little bit but it’s a massive knock. Everybody else gets the accolades but that knock is crucial for us.”

West Indies, who trail England 1-0 in the three-match series, were left ruing several dropped catches on a day when they lost control of a match they led by 169 runs at the end of the first innings but now must bat out on a final day to salvage a draw.

West Indies all-rounder Roston Chase said: “It is a bit disappointing. We would probably have looked to bowl them out for around 150 or 200. We will have to see how it goes for us tomorrow.

“I though we were in a good position at tea but we let them slip away and now we have to really fight hard to save this Test match.”

Chase also admitted dropped catches had cost his side.

“That hurt us a lot,” he said. “But that is cricket for you and you just have to continue playing the game.”

Picture: PA. Moeen Ali hits out as his quickfire 84 helped England to build a lead of 316 runs over West Indies.