England all-rounder Moeen Ali surprised everyone with an attempted one-handed reverse slog in the third and final ODI against South Africa at the Diamond Oval, Kimberley.
It all happened in the 44th over of the first innings when Mooen had scored 12 from eight balls and was facing the wrist spin of Tabraiz Shamsi. On the fourth delivery, the southpaw attempted an audacious innovation. He tried to hit the ball as if he had a racquet in his hand, which was a right-handed top-spin forehand.
The only trouble was that Moeen missed the line of the ball. He used just one hand to get more elevation on the ball but lost all shape and control in the shot.
Relive the moment here:
Cricket is basically rounders right? pic.twitter.com/LA8x4MgZM7
— Melissa Story (@melissagstory) February 1, 2023
https://twitter.com/minibus2022/status/1620813366959947777
#ENGvsSA pic.twitter.com/gX1Hcce7KE
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) February 1, 2023
Moeen Ali with the one-handed switch hit (missed) 😂😂
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) February 1, 2023
As far as the result of the match is concerned, England defeated South Africa by 59 runs to avoid a clean sweep. Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan scored backs-to-back centuries while Jofra Archer returned with best bowling figures of 6 for 40, powering England to a consolation victory in the three-match series.
On the other hand, South Africa won the series 2-1 and kept their hopes alive to earn a direct qualification for the ODI World Cup in India later this year. However, they still need to win their upcoming two ODIs against the Netherlands in March and April.
