Moeen: Test cricket suits England

27 April 2015 03:16

Moeen Ali believes England become a different side when they put on their Test whites.

Moeen is just a year into his international career but is already a fixture in all three formats of the game.

In that time the all-rounder has experienced the disappointments of poor campaigns in the World Twenty20 and the World Cup, but also enjoyed a bright start in the longer format.

Having been injured for the drawn first Test against West Indies, Moeen was back for the nine-wicket victory in Grenada, carrying on from last summer's series win over India.

And he admits the side feel more comfortable playing red ball cricket.

"When we put on the Test kit we feel very confident," said Moeen.

"We had such a good summer against India and we all know our roles and games a lot more.

"This was my first game away from home but I've won my last four Test matches now.

"We have some very, very talented players and a lot of people know around the world that we can be a dangerous side.

"We just need to play and keep developing. It's going to take a bit of time but I feel the nucleus is there."

Moeen made his name in county cricket as a top-order batsman but it is his quickly improving off-spin that has helped him nail down his England spot.

In eight Tests to date Moeen has taken 26 wickets at an average of 27.53, a record that far exceeds what he has produced with the bat.

Aside from a battling maiden hundred against Sri Lanka at Headingley, the 27-year-old has under-delivered on runs and ran himself out for nought on his return to the side in Grenada.

"I still feel there's a lot more of my batting to come, I just haven't justified it," he said as the side prepared to travel to Barbados for the third and final Test.

"My bowling's kept me in the side, it's been almost a revelation to me, even in the one-day stuff it keeps me in the side as an opening batter.

"I feel like I'm more of an all-rounder now than I was probably a year ago but hopefully I can find my feet as a batter a bit more.

"I know I can do it - I've done it for Worcestershire many times before, so I just need to get the confidence back and really enjoy batting as well. I feel like it's round the corner.

"If things go well and I bat the way I know I can bat then maybe at some stage I will get up the order a bit."

England's desire to restore Moeen to the side at the first opportunity meant bad luck for James Tredwell, who deputised in Antigua.

Playing his first Test in five years Tredwell took five wickets in the game, but that was not enough to nudge ahead in the pecking order.

That has not stopped him playing a valuable role, though, with Moeen relying on him as a sounding board.

"Tredders is a brilliant guy. He was obviously disappointed not to play this game but he never once made it look like he was disappointed at me," he said.

"He gave me a lot of tips during the game and it was similar during the World Cup when he wasn't playing and I was the spinner.

"He gives me advice, when to go over the wicket or round and sometimes going a bit wider to certain batters.

"He bowled at these guys in Antigua so he knows a little bit about them.

"The senior guys are very important and I've learned a lot from Tredders."

Source: PA