England must learn from India's style of play - Moeen Ali

  • Published
Moeen AliImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Moeen scored 67 from 52 balls in England's nine-wicket defeat at Edgbaston on Tuesday

Fifth one-day international: England v India

Venue: Leeds Date: Friday, 5 September Start time: 10:30 BST

Coverage: Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave, via BBC Sport website & app, and BBC iPlayer Radio app; live text commentary on BBC Sport website & app

England must learn from India's aggressive style of play if they are to turn around their dismal one-day form, according to all-rounder Moeen Ali.

After three heavy defeats, England are 3-0 down in the series with only Friday's match at Headingley remaining.

Moeen, who backed under-fire captain Alastair Cook, said: "Watching the way the Indians bat, you can learn a lot from the way they approach it.

"They play with no fear. If there is a risk, they just take it."

After coming from behind to win the Test series 3-1, England's weaknesses in the one-day international format have been ruthlessly exposed only six months before the World Cup.

They have been bowled out inside their allotted 50 overs in all three completed matches, with 227 their highest score, and were thrashed by nine wickets on Tuesday at Edgbaston with 19.3 overs to spare as India clinched the series.

England v India ODI series 2014

3rd ODI, Trent Bridge: India won by six wickets

4th ODI, Edgbaston: India won by nine wickets

5th ODI, Headingley: Friday, 5 September

Moeen, who responded to his recall to the side by hitting 67 off 52 balls in Birmingham, urged more of his team-mates to follow his lead.

"Take it to them," the Worcestershire left-hander said. "There is no point in being the same and getting out the same way all the time.

"I'd rather get caught on the boundary or stumped trying to do something than try and knock it around all the time.

"Watching someone like [India batsman] Suresh Raina in the first game, they were in trouble and he came out and played the way he played.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Moeen Ali was the only England batsman to score a half century at Edgbaston on Tuesday

"He took a few risks and they came off. He backed himself. I tried to copy it a little a bit."

Cook has faced calls to step aside from ex-England captain Michael Vaughan and former spinner Graeme Swann after losing his last four series as ODI captain and nine of his last 12 matches against Test-playing nations.

However, research by Test Match Special statistician Andrew Samson revealed that Cook's playing record compares well with those of his predecessors.

His batting average as captain of 40.29 is the best of any England one-day skipper, while his strike rate of 81.06 is third behind Paul Collingwood and Andrew Strauss.

ODI batting strike rates as England captain

M

Inns

NO

Runs

HS

Av'ge

SR

100s

50s

Paul Collingwood

25

24

4

718

91*

35.90

87.99

0

5

Andrew Strauss

62

62

2

2367

158

39.45

86.54

4

16

Alastair Cook

62

62

4

2337

137

40.29

81.06

4

16

Mike Gatting

37

37

7

1013

82*

33.76

75.82

0

5

David Gower

24

24

0

601

102

25.04

70.87

1

2

Nasser Hussain

56

55

4

1598

115

31.33

70.86

1

12

Michael Vaughan

60

58

9

1418

90*

28.93

66.23

0

11

Alec Stewart

41

41

1

924

88

23.10

64.12

0

6

Mike Atherton

43

43

2

1392

127

33.95

59.81

2

8

Graham Gooch

50

48

2

1378

112*

29.95

55.12

1

7

Mike Brearley

25

24

3

510

78

24.28

45.43

0

3

Figures compiled by Test Match Special statistician Andrew Samson (correct as of 3 September 2014)

"I have never met a more mentally strong person than Alastair," added Moeen. "To go through what he is doing and still be the same day in day out.

"I can imagine that it is very tough but I know he will come good.

"Obviously you don't want to keep losing, every game that comes along we're hoping to do well and perform and execute the plans.

"It's taking a bit of time but I am sure once we get one win it will all come good like the Test series did."

England will be without batsman Ian Bell at Headingley because of a fractured toe, but have not called up a replacement.

Listen to the Test Match Special podcast where Jonathan Agnew, Graeme Swann, Alec Stewart and Michael Vaughan discuss the future of England's one-day international side.

Around the BBC

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.