From being a part-time tweaker, to turning into England’s mainstay – the evolution of Moeen Ali

When England’s Moeen Ali burst on to the international Test scene in 2014, he was a batsman and a part-time bowler who could roll his arm when the captain needed to give his main bowlers some rest. That he bowled off-spin was just for the records as he did not have the trait of a typical conventional off-spinner.

The long-bearded Ali’s bowling action wasn’t attractive too. The batsmen would just rubbish him off as threat from the beginning of his run-up to landing the ball at one particular area — a little before full length around off and middle stump. His only strength was pitching it at one spot.

His first Test wicket on debut was a big one too — Kumar Sangakkara. That he would be proud of, but the manner which it came in will not expect him to boast about to the next generation. Sanga, on 147, unsuccessfully tried to cut a short ball, but edged it to wicket-keeper Matt Prior. Ali might not even have felt celebrating that.

From his one wicket on debut in 2014 to his maiden 10-wicket haul in Test cricket against South Africa in the first match earlier this Sunday that gave England a 1-0 …read more