Opening role in mind for ton-up Moeen (From Worcester News)

Opening role in mind for ton-up Moeen

3:50pm Tuesday 24th August 2010 in

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MOEEN Ali hopes he will be able to continue opening the batting for Worcestershire in the Clydesdale Bank 40 after helping steer the Royals to their first win of the season.

The 23-year-old batsman struck an impressive 121 off 105 balls, striking 12 fours and four sixes, in the New Road side’s 178-run Group ‘A’ success over Glamorgan Dragons.

The win against the Welsh county was Worcestershire’s first success in eight attempts in this season’s 40-over competition as Steve Rhodes’ side piled up 296-5, which included a 26-ball 66 from Gareth Andrew, before four wickets from Shakib Al Hasan and three from Matt Mason saw the visitors skittled out for 118.

Opening the batting with former captain Vikram Solanki, and for the first time since helping the County win the NatWest Pro40 title in 2007, Moeen showed just how destructive he can be.

However, it was an indifferent start from Moeen as he played and missed so much in the early overs, he never looked like getting his third one-day century.

“I have never played and missed so much, especially in a one-day game,” he admitted.

“But Vik kept me calm. I spoke to him a lot during the innings and he told me to keep hanging on in there and it would come.

“If it wasn’t for him, I would have given my wicket away a lot earlier than I did.”

Moeen took 75 balls to reach his first 50, before cutting loose to mirror his blistering 46-ball century at Kidderminster three years ago when he opened the batting with former team-mate Steve Davies.

The left-hander needed just 19 more balls to hit three figures and the final 71 runs of his superb knock came off just 30 balls.

“It’s great opening, especially with Vik, I have never opened with him before,” Moeen added.

“I opened with Davo back in 2007, then he went, but Phil Jaques came in so I couldn’t open then.

“I have always wanted to open the batting — even as a young player I did well opening the batting.

“I know that I found it difficult early on against Glamorgan, but it just shows that once I’ve got my eye in I can get going.”