Moeen Ali bowled a tight spell and then fgured in the match-winning partnership with Jos Buttler as England doubled their lead in the ODI Series with South Africa in Port Elizabeth today.
The Worcestershire all-rounder followed up his three wicket blast in the opening ODI by sending down 10 overs for just 41 runs as South Africa were restricted to 262-7 in their 50 overs.
Then he hit an unbeaten 21 as he and Jos Buttler (48 not out) saw England home with an unbroken stand of 61 in just five overs.
Moeen came into the attack for the 19th over and bowled his allocation of overs in one spell through to the 37th over.
The 28-year-old had picked up 3-43 in six overs, including the prized scalp of Ab de Villiers, in Bloemonfontein.
De Villiers top-scored today with 73 after South Africa had opted to bat and his stand of 107 with JP Duminy lifted their side to 205-3 in the 41st over.
But South Africa failed to build on that platform and Reece Toply collected 4-50 from nine overs for England.
Worcestershire 2016 overseas player Kyle Abbott struck a quick blow when England launched their reply, accounting for opener Jason Roy (14).
Alex Hales made 99 before he became another victim of Abbott who also accounted for Joe Root (38).
Moeen joined Buttler at the wicket at 202-5 in the 42nd over and hit three boundaries in making his runs off 15 balls.
Abbott finished with 3-58 in nine overs.
