Moeen Ali says he needed a break from Test cricket
"I have played so much in the last few years that I just felt that it was not a bad thing to go back and play county cricket and some IPL and to really enjoy my cricket again."
Monday 3 September 2018 08:50, UK
Moeen Ali admitted he needed a break from Test cricket after putting in a man-of-the-match performance on his return to the side.
The all-rounder was left out of this summer's series against Pakistan as well as the opening three fixtures against India after a tough winter in Australia and New Zealand with bat and ball.
But Ali claimed nine wickets in the match with his off-spin and scored a vital 40 runs in England's first innings as Joe Root's side beat India in Southampton to seal a series win with one match to play.
"I needed a break to appreciate Test cricket," Ali told Michael Atherton at the presentation.
"I have played so much in the last few years that I just felt that it was not a bad thing to go back and play county cricket and some IPL and to really enjoy my cricket again.
"Watching the guys at home I really missed it and thought 'I want and need to get back into the side'. It's great to be back and contribute to a winning game.
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"I have played in England for a while now and back myself a bit more. I have got a lot of confidence from bowling in county cricket after clearing my mind keeping things simple.
"I have done a lot of work with [England spin coach] Saqlain Mushtaq and it's paid off - I feel like I am getting better as a spinner every day but there are still things I need to work on."
Ali was promoted to No 3 in England's second innings - the position from where he struck 219 for Worcestershire in the Specsavers County Championship last week - and scored nine runs.
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The 31-year-old says he enjoyed his elevation but "is not thinking too much" about whether the move could become permanent.
"Rooty [Joe Root] asked me if I fancied batting at three and I said if it was my choice I'd bat there," added Ali.
"It was an opportunity to score some runs - it didn't work but it was good for other people and I enjoyed the 15 balls I faced!
"If I do bat there again I will obviously have to score runs and I feel I will have to tighten up a little bit so we'll see. It's not something I am thinking too much about."
Watch the fifth and final Test between England and India live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am on Friday, September 7.
