Captain Moeen Ali leads a fine Rapids response

PATIENCE was the key for Worcestershire as Moeen Ali inspired them to a 32-run win over Northamptonshire Steelbacks.

The Rapids took their time early on while batting first, sitting at 36-1 at the end of the powerplay, but Moeen then upped the ante, eventually falling for a 30-ball 52 as he and Brett D’Oliveira (43) put on 94 on the way to a total of 185-7.

That proved far too much for Northants, who lost Richard Levi to the first ball of the innings as five different Rapids bowlers took wickets, including two for Moeen and if you’re looking for spin in your life click here to find best mobile casino.

The skipper, who on Saturday was named in England’s T20 squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, said:

“We have a lot of options with the ball. I think we’re going well at the minute.

“I really enjoy playing at Worcester. I like that responsibility batting at three here. We have a fantastic team but I’ve enjoyed my cricket for a long time.”

Asked about his form ahead of the Sri Lanka series, he added: “We have such a good side and there’s so much competition in the team, you’ve got to be on top of your game and keep improving all the time. That’s the thing with international cricket with the team we have with so many good players coming in.”

Moeen entrusted fast bowler Josh Tongue with delivering the 18th and 20th overs despite conceding 23 runs in his opening over during the powerplay. And head coach Alex Gidman reckons he will learn from the experience.

“For Josh to go through that, albeit a couple of overs of high-pressure cricket, he would have learnt more than any other game he has played – or all the games he has played put together. He handed the situation really really well.

Northants skipper Josh Cobb, who made 29, admitted his side paid the price for some early wickets, despite a late cameo from Saif Zaib (36).

He said: “We lost too many wickets early on. It was a good wicket and we could have gone a bit deeper. We thought if we could get off to a good start, we knew they had two good spinners who would hold a bit and be a bit tricky.”

By Paul Eddison