Saturday, August 9th, 2014

Moeen’s Deadly Spell Helps England Wrap Up Fourth Test Win At Old Trafford

Moeen’s Deadly Spell Helps England Wrap Up Fourth Test Win At Old Trafford

Moeen Ali made another major contribution with the ball as England overcame India by an innings and 54 runs in winning the fourth Investec Test match at Emirates Old Trafford.

The Worcestershire all-rounder broke the back of the Indian second innings with a spell of 4-13 in 37 balls.

Moeen's off-spin has now brought him 19 wickets in the series as he followed up his 6-67 in the third Test at the Ageas Bowl with another match-winning burst.

His devastating burst began when he trapped Cheteshwar Pujara lbw with a ball of full length.

Moeen struck again in his next over when he held onto a fine return catch to dismiss Ajinkya Rahane.

He made it three wickets in three overs when Ravindra Jadeja pushed forward to a spinning delivery and edged to Chris Jordan at slip.

India were then 66-6 and Moeen picked up his fourth wicket when India skipper MS Dhoni came down the pitch and dragged the ball to mid-wicket where Gary Ballance clung onto a fine catch away to his right.

Then for good measure Moeen's throw from cover ran out Bhuvneshwar Kumar when attempting a risky second run. India were eventually bowled out for 161 in 43 overs with Moeen finishing with 4-39 from 13 overs.

Meanwhile, Moeen's county colleague Saeed Ajmal was also amongst the wickets for Pakistan in the first Test with Sri Lanka in Galle.

Saeed bowled a marathon stint of 59.1 overs and finished with 5-166 as Sri Lanka reached 533-9 declared in reply to Pakistan's 451.

The 36-year-old then went in as nightwatchman as Pakistan closed the fourth day on 4-1.

Another Worcestershire player in Colin Munro scored seven not out as New Zealand 'A' hammered Sri Lanka 'A' by seven wickets in the triangular series clash at Bristol.

They chased down a modest 141 target in just 18 of their 50 overs.