Tuesday, September 8th, 2015

Moeen’s Treble Blast Helps England To Overcome Aussies At Old Trafford

Moeen’s Treble Blast Helps England To Overcome Aussies At Old Trafford

Moeen Ali returned his career-best figures in One-Day Internationals as England overcame Australia by 93 runs at Emirates Old Trafford.

The Worcestershire all-rounder finished with 3-32 after bowling his 10 overs in one unbroken spell to help England cut Australia's lead to 2-1 in the best of five match series.

Moeen accounted for the dangerous middle order pairing of Glenn Maxwell (17) and George Bailey (25) and then dismissed Mitchell Starc (1) in his final over.

The 28-year-old and leg spinner Adil Rashid tormented the tourists and their combined figures were 5-73 in 20 overs – including four of the first five wickets – as Australia were bowled out for 207 in 44 overs.

Moeen was introduced into the attack for the 21st over with Australia 100-2 in reply to England's 300-8 in their 50 overs.

He enjoyed his first success in his fifth over.

Maxwell twice reverse swept him for successive fours but in the same over he went for a reverse dab shot and top edged a catch straight up into the air which was gratefully accepted by keeper Jonny Bairstow.

Moeen broke through again in his next over. Bailey came down the wicket but holed out off a full toss to Ben Stokes at deep mid wicket.

Wicket number three came when Starc, having been bamboozled by the previous two deliveries, drove at a ball which pitched on off stump and turned and nicked through to Bairstow who held onto a sharp catch.

Moeen received high fives from his team-mates at the end of his fine spell and a rapturous ovation when he went to field on the boundary.

He has now taken 25 wickets in 25 ODIs.