Dunamis Player of the Week: Moeen Ali

2015 World Cup

Cricket365
March 12, 2015

Ok, look. Scoring a century against Scotland isn't the same as scoring one against, say, Australia, but you still have to get the runs, especially where you've been under pressure like Moeen Ali had.

For his 128, off 107 balls and including five sixes, the England opener is our Dunamis UK Player of the Week, after failing in England's previous two matches. Against Australia he made 10 with the bat and got smacked for 60 wicketless runs, and against the Kiwis he didn't do much better.

Before the game on Monday, there were jokes, but muttered with a hint of seriousness, that Scotland could actually beat their richer neighbours. They'd lost to New Zealand as well, but not as badly on the surface (three wickets compared to eight), and were keen to record their maiden World Cup win.

Moeen had other ideas, and like Chris Gayle did against Zimbabwe the next day, he used the smaller side's below-par bowlers to get his form back on track. Mo and Ian Bell put on an opening stand of 172, which the rest of the order didn't quite capitalise on.

The all-rounder followed that up with some nifty spin bowling, removing the dangerous Kyle Coetzer for 71 and also Richie Berrington. Moeen later said he wasn't feeling his bowling rhythm yet, but it was enough on the day.

What he'll do for the rest of the tournament remains to be seen, but if England want to salvage their tournament and advance to the next round in a good position, if at all, they will need him to come to the party a few more times.

Honourable mention must go to South Africa batsman AB de Villiers, who absolutely destroyed the West Indies bowlers at the SCG on Friday. He smashed 162 off just 66 balls, as Jason Holder went for 75 runs in his final three overs. Ouch! De Villiers now holds the ODI records for the fastest 50, 100 and 150.

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