The Oval win, which was rather overwhelming for England, set the precedent for their future campaigns
When England defeated South Africa handily in the 100th Test match at The Oval on July 31, 2017, Moeen Ali accomplished a stunning performance that the cricket world saw. Moeen's name was inscribed in cricket history along with securing a memorable victory with this incredible feat. Now let's explore the exciting incidents of that day that will never be forgotten.
The foundation for England's dominant score was set by Ben Stokes' outstanding innings // Picture Courtesy – Telengana Today
With strong opening performances from their main batters, England set the tone for the game. Thanks to a remarkable 112 from Ben Stokes and a tenacious 88 from Alastair Cook, England amassed a respectable first-inning total of 353.
In response, South Africa broke under duress, scoring a pitiful 175 runs. Immediately after making his Test debut, Toby Roland-Jones left the South African batting lineup completely in pieces, taking 5-57.
England remained dominant in their second innings. England reached 313 for 8 declared because to contributions from Jonny Bairstow (63), Tom Westley (59), and Joe Root (50), posing an enormous challenge to South Africa. With a sizable advantage, the responsibility was on England's bowlers to step up and complete the win.
While South Africa struggled to save the Test, Dean Elgar fought and scored a gritty 136. His efforts, nevertheless, were insufficient to prevent defeat. Moeen Ali, who is sometimes overlooked for his exceptional bowling abilities, excelled in the event. Moeen struck twice in the 12th over of the afternoon session, quickly dismissing Kagiso Rabada and Elgar.
Moeen Ali's hat-trick was more than simply a cricketing triumph // Picture Courtesy -- Cricket Australia
As Moeen got ready to bowl his next delivery, there was a noticeable sense of anxiety at The Oval. The fans held their breath when Morne Morkel was on strike. Umpire Joel Wilson seemed unimpressed when Moeen's ball thudded into Morkel's pads, triggering a review. The ruling in Moeen's favour led to exuberant celebrations. Moeen's talent and tenacity paid off with the first hat-trick by an England spinner in 79 years.
Moeen's hat-trick not only helped England win by 239 runs, but also gave them a 2-1 series lead. The team's morale was much boosted by the triumph, which also demonstrated the depth of their team and their capacity to play well under duress. England's combination of disciplined bowling and strong batting was on display in the Oval Test, which prepared fans for an exciting final Test at Old Trafford.
Moeen's hat-trick was the game-winning move, but other players had significant roles as well. Declaring his presence on the international scene, Toby Roland-Jones took eight wickets in the encounter. The base of England's success was given by Jonny Bairstow's steady batting and Ben Stokes' all-around performance.
One of the most iconic moments in England cricket history is Moeen Ali's hat-trick at The Oval. The importance was increased by reaching this milestone in the 100th Test at this legendary venue. Moeen's success reminded fans and critics alike of his important contributions to the squad, both with the bat and the ball.
