Moeen Ali has credited a switch in mindset to that of a genuine top-order batsman for his upturn in fortunes this year, with the measured 117 he made in England’s first innings the latest proof that his abilities go further than his previous incarnation as a happy-go-lucky No8.
The all-rounder needed only three deliveries on the second morning to turn his overnight 99 into the fourth Test century of his career, a milestone that was reward for both the role he played in a stand of 179 with Joe Root on the first day and the decision by the England management to install him at No5 this winter. While bolstering the bowling stocks was part of the reason behind this promotion, Moeen’s hundreds from No7 against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the summer – a jump from his previous role one deeper – gave them the confidence to do so and the player himself has relished this additional responsibility.
“I try now to have the mindset of a top-order batsman,” said Moeen. “Before, at No8, I used to go out and almost give my wicket away sometimes. But the last few months I have thought about batting like a No3 [his position at Worcestershire]. I feel I’ve got my batting back to where I want it to be.
“I’ve had enough of giving my wicket away. I was embarrassed with some of the ways I was getting out. I will still do that sometimes, but the less often, the better. I really enjoy batting at five. It keeps me in the game for longer, while still letting me have a break after bowling, if I’ve been in the field for a long time. My aim is to bat 200 balls and, if I do that, I’ll score a hundred. That’s what I tell myself.”
Moeen credited hard work and a more favourable surface for England’s bounce back from the collapse in the second Test against Bangladesh a fortnight ago. Their 537 here is their highest in India since 1985 when double-hundreds from Graeme Fowler and Mike Gatting helped England rack up 652 for seven in Chennai. India’s five dropped catches, including two off the centurion Ben Stokes on the second day, was another reason for the bulging scorecard, something their left-arm spinner, Ravindra Jadeja, tried to remain philosophical about after stumps.
He said: “We got a few chances off Stokes but it’s a part of the game. At some point it happens to every team. Toss has taken the game away from us. If you see the Rajkot wicket, on first two days it is very good for batsmen and then slowly it changes and helps spinners. We will have to play some positive cricket now.”
