Friday, March 14th, 2014

Moeen Helps England Chalk Up Twenty20 Triumph Over The Windies

Moeen Helps England Chalk Up Twenty20 Triumph Over The Windies

Moeen Ali played an important part in the final over as England overcame West Indies by five runs in the third and final Twenty20 international in Barbados.

The Worcestershire all-rounder kept his nerve to run out dangerman Lendl Simmons for 69 with an accurate throw from mid on to the non striker's end as the batsman attempted a second run.

Despite more big hitting from Darren Sammy, the task of scoring 17 off the final over from Jade Dernbach proved beyond the home side who still won the series 2-1.

Moeen kept his place in the side after making his Twenty20 debut in the second game of the series.

But he dropped down the order to number seven as openers Michael Lumb (63) and Alex Hales (38) put on 98 in 11 overs after England won the toss.

A flurry of wickets meant Moeen finally came to the crease in the 17th over and he collected three singles before being run out by the direct hit from bowler Khrishmar Santoke after he tried to regain his ground at the striker's end.

Four sixes in the final over by Chris Jordan off Dwayne Bravo enabled England to reach 165-6 in their 20 overs.

The Windies lost two early wickets to Jordan and then Ravi Bopara struck twice in his first over but Simmons and Denesh Ramdin (33) ensured a tense finish.

Moeen was again not given an opportunity to bowl but can look back with satisfaction on playing in five of the six matches and he will now head with England to the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.