Friday, June 19th, 2015

Moeen Delighted Table-Topping Rapids Produce Their ‘a’ Game

Moeen Delighted Table-Topping Rapids Produce Their ‘a’ Game

Man of the match Moeen Ali was delighted that Worcestershire Rapids produced their 'A' game in the NatWest T20 Blast as they crushed Derbyshire Falcons by eight wickets at New Road.

Moeen's three wickets and hurricane 65 off 28 balls played a major role in the Rapids second win in 24 hours which keeps them top of the North Group.

But the whole team performance was top drawer and the Rapids have reached the half-way stage of the qualifying stages with five wins from seven games to their name.

Moeen said: "It was a brilliant performance. We said this afternoon that we have not really brought our 'A' game yet to the competition and today we did that. It was a very good performance.

"Was I delighted with my own performance? As long as we are winning, then I am happy especially to contribute the way I did there and to win the game convincingly in the end is very pleasing.

"The win was good also for our net run rate. Some of the guys were saying it has jumped massively in our favour but we are not thinking too much about that.

"Obviously we just take one game at a time and keep trying to win the games.

"We were top before this game anyway and it's 'one game at a time' and if we keep going the way we are, I think we are in a great position and we haven't really played that well yet until today."

Moeen added: "It would be unbelievable for the club if we ever got to finals day but it's so far down the line.

"We've stumbled in quarter-finals before and we've got to get through to that. A home quarter-final would be nice, make a big difference, but the sides are so strong."

Moeen has been delighted to return to New Road and hone his skills for the Ashes but he is also happy to pass on advice to the club's group of younger players.

He said: "It has been good because when I came back at the start of the year, I was only here for one game and had to go back whereas now I've been here for three weeks so I know I can concentrate on Worcestershire and every game for them and contribute to winning.

"When I was younger I used to look up to people like Vikram Solanki and Graeme Hick.

"When someone asks me my advice, if I feel like I need to go and say something to someone then I will and I hope people can take that in, in a positive way."

Moeen will link up with his England team-mates in Spain for a pre-Ashes training camp next weekend.

He said: "We will meet the new coach and do some work and I can't wait. The Ashes are coming up and, if I play well and am selected, then I'll be very happy on that day.

"But at the moment my focus is playing for Worcestershire and doing the best I can and I don't like looking too far ahead."