Moeen Ali's dashing fifty all but put the fourth Test beyond South Africa's reach as England moved towards a series win at Old Trafford yesterday
England's Moeen Ali sweeps one to the fence during his unbeaten 67 against South Africa at Old Trafford yesterday. Pic/AFP
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Moeen Ali's dashing fifty all but put the fourth Test beyond South Africa's reach as England moved towards a series win at Old Trafford yesterday.
When rain ended the third day's play, England were 224 for eight in their second innings — a lead of 360 runs — with Ali unbeaten on 67.
South Africa already needed to set a new ground record if they were to end this four-match series all square at 2-2 as no side have made more in the fourth innings of a Test at Old Trafford to win than England's 294 for four against New Zealand in 2008.
Ali made South Africa pay for Dean Elgar dropping him on 15 when a low slip chance off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj did not stick. He may come in at No 8 for England but off-spinner Ali — who earlier in this match took 20 wickets in a Test series for the first time in his career — made his name with Worcestershire as a top-order batsman. Ali, who bats left-handed, was especially severe on Maharaj, hitting him for three sixes.
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