Moeen Ali made another crucial contribution with the ball as England won the second Royal London ODI with Australia by 38 runs at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff today.
The Worcestershire all-rounder followed up his man of the match performance and three wickets in the success at the Kia Oval with another impressive performance.
The 30-year-old broke two threatening stands in dismissing D’Arcy Short and Glenn Maxwell and also had Australia centurion Shaun Marsh dropped.
Moeen came into the attack immediately after the completion of the first powerplay and in his second over March on 25 was put down by substitute fielder Tom Curran at mid wicket at 68-1.
But he did break through in his next over when Short (21), who added 53 with Marsh, played back and edged to Joe Root at slip.
Moeen bowled an initial spell of 4-0-14-1 before being recalled for the 27th over and again the third over of his spell brought about a wicket.
Maxwell (31) had put on 54 with Marsh when he holed out to David Willey at mid on.
Moeen bowled out and ended with figures of 10-0-47-2 to be England’s most economical bowler.
Worcestershire 2018 overseas player Travis Head had opened the innings and made a quickfire 19 off 15 balls with three fours and a six.
But Marsh was the main threat to England with 131 off 116 balls as Australia were bowled out for 304 in 47.1 overs.
Earlier Jason Roy (120) and Jos Buttler (91 not out) were the mainstay of England’s 342-8. Moeen made eight off six balls.
