Super Moeen proves to be England’s captain marvel

MOEEN ALI produced a superb captain’s display to send England into a T-20 series-decider against West Indies in Bridgetown tonight.

Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen hit a rapid 63 with the bat and followed up with two wickets with his off spin.

After posting 193 for six, England sent down 10 overs of spin to push up West Indies’ required rate and it was up to 110 off seven overs when Adil Rashid, with series figures of 15-1-82-5 at that juncture, returned to the attack.

Jason Holder twice used his long levers to haul the Yorkshire legspinner into the short leg side boundary during a cameo of 36.

But his departure with the equation whittled down to 50 off 16 sealed things for England as the death bowlers hit their intended marks, with Chris Jordan and Reece Topley both outstanding.

Indeed, Jordan’s penultimate over cost a miserly 11 runs.

The 34-run success looked in jeopardy when Kyle Mayers entered the series in much the same manner as Powell had 72 hours earlier but Moeen lured him into a mishit down the ground and from 64 without loss, Windies were soon 78 for three.

Jason Roy survived a leg before DRS on nought off and was also dropped by Holder in his follow through on his way to 52 off 41 balls.

Roy and James Vince were dismissed after a stand of 85 for the second wicket.

Only 10 runs had come from as many deliveries when Moeen restored impetus against Holder on his return for the 18th over, caressing four successive sixes off the Windies giant.

Moeen’s 50 came from just 23 balls and he struck two more sixes off Romario Shepherd before picking out long off attempting an eighth.

Sam Billings, returning to the team after resting in midweek, then powered England into the 190s with two strikes over the ropes to take the team six count to 15.