Moeen Ali shines with maiden T20 century
Ali hammered 115 off just 56 balls at Edgbaston, in a knock that comprised 12 fours and seven sixes. It helped his side Worcestershire post 209/5 in their final league game of the tournament.
The Birmingham Bears were then restricted to 194/7, and the 15-run victory meant Worcestershire finished atop the table in the north group, ensuring a quarter-final clash at home against Gloucestershire on Saturday, 25 August.
Ali, who was named in the squad for the Tests against India, was released earlier this month after not making it to the playing XI. With him not in the mix for the third Test at Trent Bridge either starting Saturday, it came as a blessing for Worcestershire.
Opening the batting, Ali, the captain, added 80 off 49 balls with Joe Clarke (32 off 25 balls) and 74 in 38 with Callum Ferguson, who only contributed 13.
Chasing 210, Birmingham were helped by a 55-run opening stand off just 29 balls between Ian Bell and Ed Pollock, who got 36 off 18, but losing wickets throughout their innings meant they couldn't get the momentum on their side.
Ali has enjoyed a good run with the bat at Edgbaston, having hit a magnificent 114 in the One-Day Cup in June at the same venue. He now has 229 runs with 24 fours and 12 sixes in his last two innings at his former home ground.
Speaking ahead of the match, he had said, “I’m batting once a week at the moment. I’m training and trying to get better all the time. You just go out and try to do your best every time you go out.
Kevin Sharp: “Moeen has just had a chat in the dressing room as captain and said a few words and he congratulated Browny on his performances. He has actually said in front of the group ‘that’s of international standard, that type of bowling.’"
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) August 17, 2018
“It’s not difficult (switching from England to domestic T20). It’s different but it’s never difficult. Both bunches of lads are similar, really nice guys, and easy to be part of.”
The off-spinner was also all praise for Pat Brown, his team's 19-year-old medium pacer, who has 27 wickets from 13 matches and is on top of the wicket-takers' chart, describing his bowling as being of "international standard".
In a further boost to the team, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Saturday that Ali would be available for their County Championship match against Yorkshire.