Moeen Ali says he is ‘proud’ to have scored England’s fastest half-century ever in T20 cricket, but don’t expect him to hold the record for long.
Moeen hit a 16-ball-fifty and shared a 106-run partnership with Jonny Bairstow to propel England to 234-6 in the first T20 international against South Africa in Bristol.
Bairstow was sent off the penultimate ball for a brilliant 90 off 53 as his wonderful summer continued.
England lost openers Jos Buttler and Jason Roy in the power play but made a great recovery to take their second highest T20 score, with Dawid Malan also contributing 43 out of 23.
South Africa dropped to 7-2 and 136-5 in response, but Tristan Stubbs briefly threatened to end the game with a brutal 28-ball 72, including eight sixes.
But England were always in control as the expensive Richard Gleeson took three wickets, Adil Rashid and Reece Topley both claimed two and Chris Jordan gave up just 30 runs from his four overs.
“It means a lot, there are guys in our dressing room who score fast and now I can brag about the fastest fifty in T20 cricket for England. I’m going to the locker room and give it the big one,’ Moeen said, tongue in cheek.
“It’s a great thing to be proud of, but I’m sure it will break soon. This was a nice field for someone like me who isn’t the biggest hitter like some guys.
“You can hit sixes here, you pick the bowlers you like and go after them. I just watched a few balls and then played my shots.’
Moeen was quick to praise Bairstow’s efforts, with the Yorkshireman taking advantage of three missed catches to make 90.
“Jonny is someone I’ve always loved hitting, he’s pretty busy, strong, powerful and the way he hit tonight was really entertaining,” Moeen said. “It was great to be on the other side.”
All-rounder Moeen also praised Jordan as the pace bowler showed his skills to death by conceding a paltry eight runs from the 18th and 20th overs combined.
“CJ closed the game for us,” Moeen added. “He is a very, very important player and has experience all over the world.
“He’s had some difficult years in the role he’s been given, but this summer he was fantastic. We know how good he is, his pace is faster and he is a fantastic death bowler.”
England were somewhat impressed during their recent one-day international series against South Africa and India and ‘itched’ to produce fireworks in the first of three T20s against the Proteas.
Whiteball captain Buttler said: “The way the boys stood up and took responsibility throughout those innings – Malan, Bairstow and Moeen Ali – was fantastic. It was great to watch.
“We were eager for that kind of performance. We scored over 200 against India at Trent Bridge and again so impressive here.
“We knew it was going to be an exciting game. It’s a small field and a big wicket. It was crucial to pick up early wickets again and I thought the 18th bowled over Chris Jordan was brilliant and shifted the momentum.”
England and South Africa now head to Cardiff on Thursday evening for the second T20 international.
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