Sunday, November 20th, 2016

Moeen Facing Key Role With The Bat On Final Day Of Second Test

Moeen Facing Key Role With The Bat On Final Day Of Second Test

Moeen Ali may have to play a key role with the bat if England are to avoid defeat on the final day of the second Test with India in Visakhapatnam.

The Worcestershire all-rounder is due in at number five with England resuming on 87-2 from 59.2 overs after being set a 405 target.

Moeen was dismissed for a single in the first innings after scoring a century in the drawn first Test at Rajkot.

It will be a demanding challenge for the 29-year-old and his colleagues on a wicket offering considerable assistance to the spinners.

But openers Alastair Cook and Haseeb Hameed showed great application during an opening stand of 72 before both fell in the final phase of the day for 54 and 25 respectively.

Moeen did not have much opportunity to bowl in India's second innings in which they were dismissed for 204.

But he did pick up the last wicket of Mohammed Shami who was stumped by Jonny Bairstow for 19 to end a stand of 42 with Jayant Yadav (27 not out).

Moeen ended with 1-9 from 3.1 overs to follow his 3-98 from 25 in India's first innings.