It’s brave new England as Moeen leads the fightback
MOEEN ALI’S third Test hundred rescued England on the opening day of this series finale against Pakistan at The Oval.
England, batting first after captain Alastair Cook won the toss, were reeling on 110 for five when Moeen came to the crease shortly after lunch.
However, the Worcestershire all-rounder produced a brilliant century to help his side post 328 in their first innings.
Stuart Broad then dismissed Sami Aslam lbw in the three overs of the day Pakistan had to see out, the tourists closing on 3-1.
Moeen’s runs were crucial after Pakistan’s seamers cut a swathe through England’s top-order on the first day of this final Test.
He firstly shared a 93-run stand with Jonny Bairstow to stabilise the innings before a rapid 79-run partnership in 85 balls with Chris Woakes took the total towards 300.
Still 11 runs shy of his century when England lost their ninth wicket, Moeen rotated the strike superbly to protect No.11 James Anderson before he reached three figures in style, clubbing leg-spinner Yasir Shah over midwicket for six 35 minutes before the end of the day.
Moeen’s twin half-centuries at Edgbaston last week had been crucial in helping England win the third Test, a result that saw them come into this match with a 2-1 series lead.
And, with the No.1 Test ranking a potential prize for England if they win at The Oval, Moeen’s runs could prove equally important to the outcome of this match.
It was the 29-year-old’s second international century of the summer after he hit 155 against Sri Lanka in the second Test at Durham in May. But this knock was far more impressive given the quality of the attack he was facing and the situation of the match, as well as the series.
Pakistan will feel they are well in this game after making good use of conditions at The Oval to dismiss England for under 400.
Yet they will be mindful of what happened in the previous Test, when they restricted Cook’s side to 297 in their first innings and still went on to lose the match by 141 runs on the final day.
Moeen, who took an early blow on the helmet off the bowling of Wahab Riaz, said: “It’s the second time I’ve been hit on the head first ball here – Mitchell Johnson did it last year in the Ashes.
“I’ve worked on my technique. I do still get in trouble from time to time, but I’m getting better. I used my feet to the spinners and backed myself to clear the fielders.”