Moeen Ali beamer to Steve Smith: The English all-rounder tried everything possible to dismiss the Australian batsman at Edgbaston.
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During the fourth day of the first Test of the ongoing 2019 Ashes series between England and Australia at Edgbaston, England all-rounder Moeen Ali bowled a beamer to Australia batsman Steve Smith. While Ali immediately apologized to Smith, it remains to be seen whether it was an intentional ploy to dismiss Smith.
It all happened on the penultimate delivery of the 32nd over when Ali bowled a delivery above Smith’s reach who was already down the track. Had England wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow collected the ball cleanly, it would have easily been a stumping dismissal. The ball was eventually declared as a no-ball.
There is no hiding to the fact that Smith is doubtlessly standing between an England and their chances of registering a victory in the first Test. Coming on the back of an exceptional century in the first innings, the premier Australian batsman looks set to score another one in Birmingham.
Perhaps, it was a calculated strategy on the part of the home team to dismiss Smith in such a manner. Ali, who has exceptional numbers in Tests since 2017, has continued to struggle against Australia. While he dismissed Australia opening batsman Cameron Bancroft (7) yesterday, he has conceded 71 runs in 16 overs till now.
Considering the fact that England will be in trouble while chasing anything over 200 in the fourth innings, the hosts are trying their best to bundled out the opposition at the lowest possible score.
Moeen Ali beamer to Steve Smith:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0vYZaMlEhv/?fbclid=IwAR2Z02gSdF5E030iwN_RsdEO61-qOb7vbTV1HxW80eVFvKxcpJ-S6qH5M0M
How Twitter reacted on Moeen Ali:
What was THAT!?
England hasn’t had much luck with Steve Smith, so Moeen Ali tried something different in the first over 😂 #Ashes #SteveSmith #MoeenAli #airball pic.twitter.com/01nAJk7OtL
— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) August 4, 2019
Athers just described Moeen Ali as England’s Principal Spinner… can’t see it myself #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/wI5K0YdYJV
— Samuel Knowles (@theboyknowles) August 4, 2019
I reckon if you’d asked Steve Smith his ideal scenario this morning he probably would have said ‘50 minutes of Moeen Ali straight up’ #Ashes19
— Rudi (@RudiEdsall) August 4, 2019
This is utter dross from Moeen Ali he was the key this innings with plenty of assistance and no Anderson and he’s been woeful, Root’s captaincy has been no better either negative fields allowing Australia to take command of the Test #bbccricket
— Si Lomas (@SLomasSCFC1883) August 4, 2019
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