Moeen Ali praises England coach Paul Farbrace for helping him rediscover batting form
Friday 26 May 2017 11:53, UK
Moeen Ali credits coach Paul Farbrace with helping him get back on track as a One-Day International batsman against South Africa.
Moeen had mustered just a solitary half-century in his last 28 ODI innings before his unbeaten 77 in England's 72-run win over South Africa at Headingley on Wednesday.
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The Worcestershire all-rounder hit five sixes, and as many fours, in his 51-ball innings as he and captain Eoin Morgan shared a crucial century stand after a mid-innings stumble to 198 for five.
"I actually wasn't batting that well in the nets," Moeen said.
"I went inside with Paul Farbrace, and he knows my game quite well now.
"I had a chat with him, and he helped - and I felt in a good rhythm going into this match."
Moeen has struggled to find a consistent platform in England's ODI team for his batting, and was left out for the two early-season victories over Ireland which preceded this series.
"I find batting seven tough," he added. "But I'm trying to be good at it and get better at it.
"On previous occasions, when I've had the opportunity to play a lot more balls, I've given my wicket away a bit early.
"(But) I told myself I was going to give myself a bit more time, give Morgy as much of the strike as I could."
Moeen grew up opening, still perhaps his most natural deployment but one which is not possible for England at present.
"I can beat the field in the first few overs [at the top of the order], and then later on I can play a few more shots," he said.
"But when you've got four or five guys out [in the deep] straightaway it's not easy for someone who probably can't hit sixes like Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and hit the gas like those guys.
"But ... I managed to hit a few."
England face an anxious wait on Ben Stokes' fitness after he picked up a knee injury at Headingley on Wednesday.
Moeen believes England have enough firepower in Stokes' absence although he is not prepared to write off South Africa's chances in the three-match series.
"We've got the team that is capable," he said.
"We're only 1-0 up with two games to go, but it's a great start to the summer.
"We were 2-0 up against them in South Africa [in 2015/16] and we lost 3-2. They're a very good side, and we know that."
