Moeen Ali takes satisfaction in lifting England to decider towards West Indies

Moeen Ali took some satisfaction from main England to a series-levelling victory towards the West Indies organising a winner-takes-all showdown in Sunday’s fifth Twenty20.

England’s stand-in captain, deputising after Eoin Morgan sustained a low grade quad damage that has dominated him out of this weekend’s double header, sparkled with seven of his aspect’s 15 sixes in an astonishing 63 off simply 28 balls.

Jason Roy had earlier benefited from being dropped on three to contribute 52 off 42 balls on a sluggish pitch though West Indies captain Kieron Pollard utilized the brakes with figures of 4-0-23-1 on the Kensington Oval.

However Moeen took centre stage on the dying as England added 59 of their final three overs, belting Jason Holder for 4 successive sixes, to complete on 193 for six, with the Windies restricted to 159 for 5.

Moeen took two for 28 within the reply because the Windies struggled towards spin and in the end ran out of steam on the again finish of their innings to lose by 34 runs, with the five-match collection now 2-2 and going to a decider on the identical venue in Barbados.

This was Moeen’s first victory as England captain after two earlier defeats, and comes simply days after he was out for a duck and conceded 14 in his solely over because the vacationers misplaced the third T20.

Moeen mentioned: “Within the final sport I did nothing – I received hit, I received nought, you’ve received to simply accept that typically. Right here, I’m actually completely satisfied I may contribute to maintaining the collection alive.

“Clearly I’m extra completely satisfied that we gained. To win as captain is sensible so I’m actually completely satisfied.”

England had been labouring on 134 for 3 after 17 overs earlier than Moeen determined to tackle Holder though he insisted there was no panicking at their place.

He mentioned: “In that state of affairs there was solely three overs left so you must put your foot down.

“We really struggled a bit early on making an attempt to time it however when you give your self an opportunity, it solely takes one or two huge overs and also you’re forward of the sport.”

The Windies raced to 56 with out loss from the powerplay however Moeen and Adil Rashid had been in a position to put the squeeze on the hosts, who slipped from 64 for none to 78 for 3 then 97 for 4 beneath lights at Bridgetown.

The asking charge climbed to above 15 an over however a cameo of 36 off 24 balls from Jason Holder – remarkably, the primary time he has handed 30 in a T20 worldwide – introduced the equation all the way down to 61 from the final 24 deliveries.

England’s dying bowling has been come beneath the microscope lately, particularly Chris Jordan who was costly within the T20 World Cup semi-final defeat to New Zealand in addition to earlier on this collection within the Caribbean.

However he got here to the fore on Saturday night time, ably assisted by the more and more spectacular Reece Topley because the Windies added simply 26 within the closing 4 overs, and Jordan’s influence was highlighted by Moeen afterwards.

Moeen mentioned: “I believed he bowled outstandingly properly. He simply stored it easy and typically that’s all it’s. He’s come beneath plenty of stick these days and to return out with a efficiency like that was excellent.

“I feel typically you simply want a reminder that’s the hardest a part of the sport and also you simply want a reminder to simplify it.

“We’ve had an excellent chat however he’s a high bowler and he’s been our greatest dying bowler for ages. You’re not going to at all times get it proper however I believed I caught to his strengths and he was sensible.”