Moeen Ali’s greatest: A look back at the best performances from the England all-rounder

By Divy Tripathi

Initially touted as a steady batter who could offer supporting spin, Moeen Ali went on to play the role of the lead spinner with aplomb, while also maintaining his batting prowess. Featuring in 298 international games for the side, Moeen delivered several game-changing performances.

We look at his very best:

Tests

Shining in Lord’s statement win

v South Africa, Lord’s, 2017

87 and 7, 4/59 and 6/53

South Africa were one of the few sides who had cracked the England conditions by securing back-to-back series wins (2-1 in 2008, 2-0 in 2012) in the country during the late 2000s and early 2010s.

In 2017, England needed the perfect start to give themselves an early boost against the Proteas, and Moeen delivered just that.

In the first innings, he complemented Joe Root’s 190 with a brilliant 87 of his own. He then gave England an early advantage dismissing Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar before the total reached 100, picking a four-for as England gained a decent lead. South Africa were eventually set a target of 331, not unmanageable by any stretch of imagination but Moeen was splendid in the second innings too. His 6/53 helped England to a 211-run win.

Overall Moeen scored 252 runs in the series and picked 25 wickets, including a hat-trick in the third Test, a first for an England spinner since 1938. His performances earned him the Player of the Series award, and England a 3-1 series win.

Sinking India on comeback

v India, Southampton, 2018

40 and 9, 5/63 and 4/71

Having been dropped from the England Test squad following an indifferent outing in the previous winter against Australia and New Zealand, Moeen was brought back against a rampant India side in the fourth Test.

Virat Kohli’s side had been competitive through the summer, and after losing the first two Tests of the five-game series, bounced back in Nottingham to beat England comprehensively.

England sought to nullify India’s charge by bringing back their old nemesis Moeen, who had troubled the Men in Blue in his debut season (19 wickets in five Tests during the 2014 series).

The move worked like a charm. Moeen’s 40 in the first innings helped England to 246. India responded positively and were 181/4 at one stage, but Moeen ran through India’s middle and lower-order batters and picked the next five wickets.

This ensured that India only had a slender lead of 27 runs. In the fourth innings, Moeen returned to torment the batters, breaking a crucial stand between Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane by dismissing both batters. His four-for ensured a comfortable England win, and an unassailable 3-1 lead.

ODIs

Lighting up Bristol with record ton

v West Indies, Bristol, 2017

102

While his success as a spinner meant that Moeen became an indispensable part of the England outfit as an all-rounder, the presence of several clean-hitters, many of whom filled the top-order role, in the limited-overs side meant that the player had to shuffle up-and-down as a floater as per the side’s requirements.

Players of this ilk don’t have it easy, for they have to adjust between being an anchor or a pinch-hitter at a moment’s notice.

In the Bristol game, Moeen showed that he could be the perfect floater for the England side. Walking in at 210/5 when England were easily going at over six runs an over, Moeen’s role was perhaps to support Root.

But Root fell soon after, and Moeen had only Chris Woakes as the last recognisable batter in the lineup. Moeen steadied the innings before launching into an all-out attack mode. From 31 from 33 at the end of the 42nd over, Moeen added 71 runs off merely 24 balls. His belligerent knock included seven fours and eight sixes, as England added 123 runs in the last 10 overs.

It helped the side to a comfortable win. Moeen’s strike rate of 179 was the best for an England batter at number seven (more than 25 balls faced). It was also the fastest century for an England player at home at the time (since overtaken by Jos Buttler).

T20Is

Signalling England’s new intent

v Australia, Cardiff, 2015

72 and 1/3*

England brought about a profound change in their white-ball game following a group stage exit in the 2015 Men’s Cricket World Cup. Much of it showed during the limited-overs leg of the home bilaterals against New Zealand, and Moeen played a splendid hand in continuing the momentum against Australia.

Having lost the Ashes 3-2 to the hosts, Australia sought to fight back in the white-ball leg. They began with a win against Ireland, before facing against England in a one-off T20I contest.

Moeen, fresh off a decent Ashes outing with 293 runs and 12 wickets, took the lead after England lost Alex Hales early. He smashed six fours and three sixes, hitting an unbeaten 72 at a strike rate of 156.52, as England posted 182/5.

He bowled only one over in Australia’s innings but picked the wicket of Glenn Maxwell off his very first ball breaking a crucial 112-run stand. England won the game by five runs.

Captain Moeen’s all-round special

v West Indies, Barbados, 2022

63 and 2/28

Having not featured in the preceding Ashes tour of Australia, Moeen was spared the scars of another painful loss Down Under. Next up for England was a five-game T20I contest against West Indies.

Wins against their old rivals could help lift the spirits after the outcome in Australia. However, regular captain Eoin Morgan was ruled out of the third T20I due to an injury. Moeen, the team vice-captain, led the side in Morgan’s absence. However, a Rovman Powell special ensured a West Indies win.

Three days later, Moeen took charge at the same venue in the fourth T20I. Walking in at number four, he smashed 63 from 28, hitting eight boundaries inclusive of seven sixes. He followed this with a brilliant bowling spell in which he opened the bowling and also dismissed the West Indies openers.

England won by 34 runs, and tied the series 2-2. This was Moeen’s first win as a captain.