Friday, September 11th, 2015

Moeen Sparkles Again As England Level Odi Series At Headingley

Moeen Sparkles Again As England Level Odi Series At Headingley

Moeen Ali played another important role – this time with ball and bat – as England levelled the ODI Series against Australia with a three wicket win at Headingley.

The Worcestershire all-rounder returned figures of 2-40 in his 10 overs and was there at the end to help England over the finishing line in pursuit of a 300 target with 10 balls to spare.

Now the two sides, who are locked at 2-2, will play a decider at Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday.

Moeen had registered his best ODI bowling figures – 3-32 – in the third match – and he continued in the same vein after initially conceding 16 runs in his opening two overs.

He bowled his 10 overs straight through in one spell and one of his victims was Australian top scorer Glenn Maxwell.

He had made 85 off 61 balls when he tried to reverse sweep Moeen in his fourth over and was bowled.

Moeen struck again in his final over when Marcus Stoinis played a similar shot and picked out Adil Rashid at gully after making four.

Another fine knock of 92 from England skipper Eoin Morgan put his side in control and, when he was fifth out at 238 in the 40th over, Moeen came to the wicket.

The 28-year-old swept Maxwell for six and had a let off on 11 when keeper Matthew Wade dropped him off Pat Cummins.

But then Moeen swept Maxwell for another boundary to finish on 21 not out from 23 balls as England achieved their third highest ODI run chase.