Saturday, March 9th, 2019

MOEEN RESTS UP AFTER WICKET-LACED WINTER IN TEST CRICKET

Moeen Ali can reflect on a successful winter with the ball in Test cricket after flying home earlier this week from the Caribbean as he recharges his batteries following another busy winter.

The Worcestershire all-rounder ended the two series against Sri Lanka and the West Indies with an impressive haul of 32 wickets from six games.

The Rapids Vitality Blast winning captain was his country’s joint leading wicket-taker versus the Sri Lankans with 18 at an average of 24.50.

Only Somerset’s Jack Leach matched his efforts in a series dominated by spin.

Moeen ended with eight wickets in Galle, six in Pallekele and another four in Colombo as England sealed A 3-0 whitewash.

He continued in the same mode when England flew to the West Indies in January even though they suffered a 2-1 series reversal.

The 31-year-old picked up 14 scalps in the three games and was his country’s leading wicket-taker.

Since reclaiming his place for the final two Tests last summer versus India, Moeen has an impressive tally of 44 wickets from eight appearances.

He also helped England to ODI and T20I success in Sri Lanka.

Moeen was originally selected for the current T20I series in the Windies but is instead taking a short break before the challenges of the Indian Premier League with Royal Challengers Bangalore.