I felt like I was in the zone to score something big for my team: Moeen Ali

England all-rounder Moeen Ali scored a splendid ton to guide his team to a victory over Windies in the third ODI at Bristol. The English team continued their dominance over a lesser-experienced Windies side as they gained a 2-0 lead after defeating them by 124 runs in the 3rd ODI. With just 2 games remaining in the five-match ODI series, it looks quite difficult for the visitors to make a comeback.

The visiting skipper Jason Holder won the toss and opted to field first on a pitch which resembled a batting beauty. The English batters had a great start as they were 206/3 after 31 over, with Joe Root and Ben Stokes looking good and comfortable on the crease.

However, the visitors did fight back with some regular wickets but all-rounder Ali definitely had some other plans. The left-hander played some incredible shots in his record 53-ball century innings, which helped his side post a mammoth total of 369 runs.

“I felt Rooty and Stokesy did a fantastic job for us,” he said. “I thought we were in a bit of trouble, then we lost those three wickets and we both had to rebuild a bit. But I felt like we got to a situation around 42 overs when we were in a decent position and it was time to press the button, but in the end [Woakes] was giving me one every ball because I felt like I was in the zone and everything was coming off,” said Moeen as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

I am growing in confidence

The 30-year old off-spinner stated that regular cricket and hard training has helped him to gain a lot of confidence and improvement in the past few years.

“Playing in the side regularly, training with international players and playing against international players, has helped my game so much, I feel my batting and bowling is improving all the time,” he said.

“It’s been good for my confidence. I know there will be tough times ahead, and I try not to get too over-confident, but I’ve played quite a bit for England now and the experience has allowed me stay focused on what’s to come,” Moeen added.

I never saw myself as a big-hitter

The 30-year-old was charismatic and brave in his stroke-making and his knock took a big shift after the first 39 balls. He was scoring a run a ball at one stage and then shifted gears and blasted another 61 runs in just 14 balls which included 8 big sixes.

“As a kid [sixes] were a regular thing, but only playing first-class and international cricket, I never saw myself as that sort of player,” he said. “But the ground wasn’t the biggest and I felt like they bowled a little bit in the slot. I just had a slog really, everything seemed to come off, I tried to watch the ball, keep my shape and really go for it,” concluded Ali.