Moeen: I felt like I was in the zone
England’s Moeen Ali played down his 53-ball century in the third ODI against West Indies in Bristol on Sunday, saying everything just came off for him on the day.
The left-handed Moeen was eventually out for 102 off 57 balls as the hosts beat the Windies by 124 runs to go two-nil up in the five-match series with two games still to play.
Moeen’s ton was the second fastest hundred for England in ODI cricket – Jos Buttler scored one in 46 deliveries – and it came after the home team were in a spot of bother.
The hosts were 74/3 but Joe Root (84) and Ben Stokes (73) set a perfect platform for Moeen to come in and smash the bowlers as England reached a mammoth 369/9 in their 50 overs.
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Moeen said after the game: “I felt Rooty and Stokesy did a fantastic job for us. I thought we were in a bit of trouble, then we lost those three wickets and we both had to rebuild a bit.
“But I felt like we got to a situation around 42 overs when we were in a decent position and it was time to press the button, but in the end [Woakes] was giving me one every ball because I felt like I was in the zone and everything was coming off.”
The 30-year-old still doesn’t consider himself a six hitter, with him being a more classical left-hander that prefers to time the ball.
However, Moeen said the fact that he had licence to go for his shots and a smaller ground made his knock possible.
Moeen continued: “As a kid [sixes] were a regular thing, but only playing first-class and international cricket, I never saw myself as that sort of player.
“But the ground wasn’t the biggest and I felt like they bowled a little bit in the slot. I just had a slog really, everything seemed to come off, I tried to watch the ball, keep my shape and really go for it.”
The fourth ODI of the series takes place at the Oval on Wednesday.
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