Joe Root lauds Moeen Ali after match-winning performance against India in Southampton

Moeen Ali’s match-winning performance-nine wickets in the match to go with a crucial 40 in the first innings received praise from none other than skipper Joe Root, who felt that this was the best performance by the all-rounder for the national team.

The off-spinner spun a web around the Indian batting in the first innings where he ended up with five wickets, conceding 63 runs and in the second, he showed up with the ball once again and dismissed key batsmen like opposition skipper Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane to set up an England victory.

“Today was probably the best I have seen him (Moeen) bowl in an England shirt. Such a testament to how he’s gone about things. That strength and depth of the squad really excites me. When you’re in the form he’s in, it’s a nice luxury to have (about playing him at three),” said Root, as quoted by The Indian Express, after England toppled India by 60 runs to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.

Root further had words of praise for the young Sam Curran who too has been good with his all-round abilities. Curran has also been described as a find by none other than Kohli, who was dismissed by the left-arm seamer in the first innings.

“For a young guy (Curran) to have such an influence is outstanding. Credit to the group, they were outstanding throughout. From being up against it on the first morning, character has been a massive strength of this team. Then the skill level to back it up has been phenomenal.

“For the seamers, it was about hitting the surface as hard as possible and for spinners it was about being as aggressive as possible. Keep the catchers in and trust that there would be one ball that would turn the game around. The way we went about how to approach the day’s play was outstanding,” added Root.

Fittingly, it was Moeen Ali who was named the Man of the match who said that he missed playing Test cricket while he was out of the team.

“It was great to be back. I have missed Test cricket a lot. Needed a break. Just to appreciate everything in general. To enjoy my cricket again. When I was watching the guys at home, I missed it. Great to come back and contribute to winning a game. Playing in England for a while now, back myself a bit more,” said Ali.

Ali made a comeback to the England team for the fourth and fifth Tests after a solid performance in county cricket.

“Got more confidence from county cricket. Done a lot of hard work with Saqlain (spin consultant Saqlain Mushtaq). Feel like I’m getting better as a spinner every day. When they were about eight down, Root asked me if I fancied it (batting at three). Did enjoy the 15 balls I faced. If I do bat there again, I need to tighten up. Something I’m not thinking much about,” he further added.