Such is the understated charm of Moeen Ali he did not even realise he had been chosen as the cover star of this year’s Wisden Almanack until someone sent him a picture of the sleeve.
The honour, last year bestowed on Sachin Tendulkar, is rich reward for the all-rounder’s first year in international cricket, during which he has unquestionably been England best performer.
It is recognition, too, that the impact he has made has reached far beyond the boundary. Born and bred in inner-city Birmingham, Moeen has embraced the mantle of being a role model for British Asians. He has also spoken articulately about his Muslim faith.
Given what he has achieved over the past 12 months – in total more than 800 runs and 37 wickets across all formats for England – it is no wonder Wisden chose him to succeed the Indian Test record runscorer for its 152nd edition. So how does it feel to be joining such elevated company? “I don’t see it like that, I see it as an honour to be on the 2015 cover,” said Moeen. “I didn’t really know who was on there until someone sent me the picture – it’s nice. It’s obviously a very prestigious book and it’s an honour to be on the front.
“It’s been a really good year, it’s gone quick but hopefully I have a lot more years [at the top]. I have a couple of copies from the past and my dad’s definitely going to get the new one.”
The 27-year-old has become an integral part of England’s plans in all forms of the game and his performances at the World Cup are likely to see him projected on to the wider world’s consciousness.
Known affectionately as “The Beard That’s Feared” at his county, Worcestershire, Moeen’s breakthrough act of his breakthrough year was the brilliantly stoic unbeaten century which took England to within two balls of saving the Headingley Test against Sri Lanka in June.
Yet it was his impact with the ball in the Tests against India that defined his English summer, his off-spin taking 19 wickets that proved the catalyst for England turning a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 victory.
His first taste of international cricket had come during England’s limited-overs tour of the Caribbean in the spring of 2014 and the World T20 in Bangladesh that followed. But Moeen’s first major contribution in short-form cricket came against Sri Lanka at Colombo in November when, in his first match after being promoted to open, he scored the third-fastest one-day century by an England batsman.
Moeen will have a pivotal part to play with the bat in the World Cup, even if he is disappointed with his Tri-Series form, the 46 he hit against Australia in Hobart last Friday being his highest score so far. “I’d only played against Sri Lanka opening the batting so it’s a big challenge, a good challenge,” he said.
The sensational form of Ian Bell, his opening partner, has made life easier. Bell, moved back to the top of the order following the sacking of Alastair Cook as one-day captain, followed up his 187 in a warmup match against a Prime Minister’s XI with an unbeaten 88 in the Tri-Series win against India in Brisbane and then 141 in the defeat to Australia in Hobart.
Moeen, who spent his formative years with Bell at Warwickshire, is in awe. “He is one of the best and classiest I’ve played with,” he said. “The way he is batting at the minute is unbelievable. I’m sure everyone says the same. He doesn’t score ugly runs. He’s very good to bat with. He’s in amazing form.
“He’s actually better than I thought he was when I played with him at Warwickshire. I was 18 or 19. He was already established as an England player.”
There will be a big role for Moeen to play with the ball at the World Cup, too, as England look likely to rely on his off-spin in the majority of matches rather than play James Tredwell as a full-time spinner.
Moeen’s form in the Tri-Series backs up that theory, with four wickets in three matches and an economy rate below five. “I’ve started off quite well with the ball, trying not to go for too many runs,” he said.
“I’m trying to keep it simple. If I bowl flight to these guys they’ll murder it so I try not to give too much air. When the conditions are right with a bit of spin I’ll look to attack a bit more. We’ve not come across a pitch like that yet so for me it’s about bowling dots and trying not to go for boundaries.
“I’m trying just to stay on as well. In the past I’ve bowled and been taken off straight away. If I get 10 overs every game I’ll be bowling all right.”
