Thursday, December 11th, 2014

Moeen Falls Cheaply But England Win In Sri Lanka To Reduce Series Deficit

Moeen Falls Cheaply But England Win In Sri Lanka To Reduce Series Deficit

Moeen Ali fell cheaply but England overcame Sri Lanka in the fifth ODI in Pallekele to keep alive their hopes of winning the best of seven series.

England chased down a 240 target with five balls to spare on the second day to reduce the series deficit to 3-2.

Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen got off the mark with a four through cover off recalled spinner Sachithra Senanayake.

But it was only scoring shot and two balls later Moeen went for a slog sweep against the same bowler and was bowled with England 12-1 in the second over.

He now has scores of 119, two, 58, 19 and four in the series going in first.

An unbeaten century from Joe Root saw England to their target and he was well supported by James Taylor (68).

Moeen has bowled his 10 overs for 50 runs in spells of one, seven and two overs after Sri Lanka had been put into bat on a rain affected first day.

He came into the attack for the eighth over and conceded two wides in an opening over costing eight runs.

Moeen returned at 77-3 after17 overs and bowled a seven over spell which yielded only 26 runs.

But his final two overs went for 17 runs after he entered the action for a third spell at 165-4 off 39 overs.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 239 in 49 overs.