Every sport requires constant innovation from time to time and a game organically evolves constantly courtesy of the creative geniuses that play it. The English all-rounder, Moeen Ali, a critical cog of a revolutionary England side, tried an audacious one-handed switch but failed to do so and it left everyone in splits. England staged a miraculous recovery in the final ODI of the three-match series against South Africa in commendable fashion at Kimberley on Wednesday.
After Lungi Ngidi’s brilliant opening spell that left the visitors reeling at 14/3, Dawid Malan dug in deep before Jos Buttler’s flamboyance inspired him as well as the duo made twin centuries. The two stitched a 232-run partnership, leaving the team in a strong position of 246/4 with over nine overs to go.
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Star all-rounder Moeen Ali ensured he capitalized on the stage set for him as he played a dominating knock of 41 off just 23 deliveries, lacing his knock with a couple of boundaries and four maximums. However, amidst all the success, it was one of Moeen Ali’s failed attempts that drew the most attention in the cricket fraternity. The batter was racing away at 19 off 11 deliveries when he decided to take on Tabraiz Shamsi in the 44th over.
After getting the strike from skipper Buttler after he had just struck a six, Moeen Ali tried an audacious switch hit to a spinning length delivery way outside off. Yet, what made the incident extraordinary is that Ali had let go of the non-dominant right hand from the bat handle and made the shot almost seem like a full-blooded left-handed forehand that Rafael Nadal would be proud of.
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A zoom-in of Moen Ali after the shot showed he had a wry smile on his face that grew into a wide grin. Heinrich Klassen’s reaction to the shot was a further indication of the absurdity in Ali’s shot. After he grasped the ball with quick glove work, Klassen simply covered his face with a glove to contain his smile, almost as if embarrassed by what he had just witnessed.
Here is the video of the shot from Moeen Ali:
https://twitter.com/minibus2022/status/1620813366959947777?s=20&t=mNTPuuBKNJ7UwhC6BmO_XA
Twiteratti was all-in for the excitement that players like Ali bring nd took to social media to express their thoughts.
43.4 – Tries one-handed reverse sweep
43.5 – Hits six over long onMoeen Ali ❤️
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 1, 2023
#ENGvsSA pic.twitter.com/gX1Hcce7KE
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) February 1, 2023
https://twitter.com/shockerhess/status/1620790240373006337?s=20&t=aoDqw1ZAwxWcAdOYY5zl-Q
Moeen Ali batting like this is a joy to watch. Is this even the same pitch #ENGvsSA
— Joe Cottrell (@TheProdigalBum1) February 1, 2023
Moeen Ali with a one handed swing 😂😭🏏🏴
— iamcraigcurtis (@craigcurtis93) February 1, 2023
Moeen Ali trying to reverse slog sweep one handed, hang it in The Louvre
— Thomas Sarrington (@TSarrington26) February 1, 2023
https://twitter.com/Boy_Story_2/status/1620791090982035456?s=20&t=ezytFfdVgxktTuxOJuNw4A
Peak Moeen Ali. One ball going for a one-handed tennis shot, the next smacking the ball for six! #bbccricket #SAvENG
— Matt Venn-Moncur (@MatthewVenn28) February 1, 2023
Moeen Ali with the one-handed switch hit (missed) 😂😂
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) February 1, 2023
