Thursday, March 31st, 2016

Moeen Relishing Prospect Of First Final As An England Player

Moeen Relishing Prospect Of First Final As An England Player

Moeen Ali is relishing the prospect of his first final as an England player after Eoin Morgan's side overcame New Zealand by seven wickets in the ICC World T20 semi-final clash in Delhi yesterday.

The Worcestershire all-rounder played his part with the ball and in the field as England restricted the Black Caps to 153-8 after putting them into bat.

Then some superb stroke play by Jason Roy helped England race to their modest target with 17 balls to spare.

They will now face either India or the West Indies, who meet today, in the final on Sunday in Kolkata.

Moeen tweeted: "What a win. @JasonRoy unreal innings. Well played brother and to the team!!"

It will be England's first final appearance since losing by just five runs to India in the ICC Champions Trophy at Edgbaston in 2013.

New Zealand looked to heading for a sizeable total as former Worcestershire T20 Blast player Colin Munro and Kane Williamson added 74 for the second wicket.

But after reaching 89-1 in the first 10 overs, New Zealand managed just 64 runs for the loss of seven wickets during the second half of their innings.

Moeen struck in his first over when he ran back to hold onto a caught and bowled chance offered by Williamson (32).

The 28-year-old bowled two overs for 10 runs but was then taken out of the attack.

But Moeen then had a hand in the dismissal of Munro, who after making 46 off 32 balls, sliced a Liam Plunkett delivery into his hands at third man.

Worcestershire 2016 T20 Blast player Mitchell Santner (7) and ex New Road paceman Mitchell McClenaghan (1) were both dismissed in the final over from Ben Stokes.

Roy raced to his 50 off 26 deliveries – the second quickest T20I half century by an England batsman – as he and Alex Hales gave England an explosive start.

The total had reached 82-1 in the ninth over when Santner made a breakthrough with his 10th wicket of the tournament.

Hales (20) went for a big hit and was caught by Munro at long on.

But Roy's superb 78 off 44 balls hurried England to victory after 17.1 overs.