Moeen Ali delivered England’s best spell of spin bowling of the tour so far, five for 57 from 19.5 overs, which transformed the game in the afternoon gloaming. But you would not necessarily guess so from listening to him afterwards.
Most international spinners are bluffers; they look to sow doubt where there is none, hinting at mystery that does not really exist. The most prolific exponent of delivering propaganda designed to have batsmen feeling nervous at night was, of course, Shane Warne, who would tell us how he had invented devious new deliveries before every series.
Even among more ordinary mortals, like modest finger spinners ,there is often a knowing nod after a batsman has played inside the line – “yes, of course it was the arm ball”. Anyone caught at mid‑on would be a victim of an oh-so-subtle change of pace. But Moeen professes none of these dark arts. He is probably the most self‑effacing international spin bowler in history.
He should bluff a little more. Spin bowlers are obliged to be a little dishonest. So when he was asked whether it was his “arm ball” that dismissed Mominul Haque on Friday he replied all too candidly: “No, it was just a normal ball that didn’t spin.” He did concede he was “happier about my bowling here”, but then he had to add: “I bowled some maidens and I don’t do that very often.” Not quite the self-assertive observation you expect from your premier spinner – even it is a correct one.
Then Moeen was asked about some of the boundaries that Tamim Iqbal hit. “They were off good balls” [the correct response – they were, yet Tamim was in such brilliant form that this could not deter him]. “So I did not get down on myself” [another fine reaction]. “And I get hit plenty of times anyway” [wrong – keep that to yourself].
One conclusion is that Moeen has become a rather better bowler than he thinks he is. His stock delivery is quicker than most; it carries venom; he spins the ball vigorously. Even he acknowledges “the pace I bowl is useful” and he is right especially when he is operating on the turning pitches encountered in Chittagong and Dhaka. He is also correct to stress the need to be more consistent.
He has tormented Bangladesh’s left-handers. He is more comfortable when they are on strike and they have accounted for his first seven victims. On Friday he was better against the right-handers; he bowled exclusively around the wicket to them – usually the best option on a turning pitch – and his control improved as the match went about its metamorphosis.
Moeen is as generous about his colleagues as he is modest about his own efforts. He said Ben Stokes bowled “brilliantly” and that Zafar Ansari “did all right”, adding: “It was a very tough situation for him coming on against the left-handers [one of whom was Tamim in full flow].There should be time for him to get his rhythm in the second innings.” And he was complimentary about his mate, Adil Rashid.
But England’s most likely match-winner in the spin department in another compelling contest is, in fact, Moeen. But you’ll never get him to admit it.
