Moeen Ali is modest hero as he celebrates making England history by avoiding his champagne-spraying team-mates
Strict Muslim and teetotaller who became first man to score more than 250 runs and take 25 wickets in a four-Test series
MOEEN ALI headed in the opposite direction as England team-mates sprayed champagne with more gusto than Lewis Hamilton.
As a strict Muslim and teetotaller, Moeen did not want even a single bubble to land on him at the end of a series in which he made history.
He became the first man to score more than 250 runs and take 25 wickets in a four-Test series.
Only Ian Botham, twice, has done it for England in series of any length.
Moeen’s retreat from the fizz while the snappers clicked did not bother him one bit.
There were religious reasons, of course, but Moeen is more than happy to shun the limelight and credit others.
For example, he insists his 25-wicket haul against South Africa is all down to the guidance of spin bowling coach Saqlain Mushtaq. And he reckons he is not much of a bowler, anyway.
Compare his modest personality to England’s four other best all-rounders of the past 50 years: Tony Greig, Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff and Ben Stokes. Not a bunch to jog away from the bubbly.
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As a role model for young British Muslims, Moeen is in many ways more important.
He carries the banner with great dignity and his stylish batting, spin bowling and huge beard have made him a cult hero.
Moeen said: “The team understand I stay away from the champagne thing.
“Cooky said, ‘Make sure we take the picture first’ and then I moved out of the way.
“I don’t feel I miss out — it’s just spraying a bottle, not that exciting really!
“But we have a great laugh. I really enjoy being in the changing room.”
Moeen discovered only after England completed their 177-run victory in the Investec Fourth Test at Old Trafford — and a 3-1 series win — that he had emulated Botham.
He is not driven by statistics but he admits he and Stokes spur each other on.
Moeen added: “If he hasn’t scored runs, I feel it’s my duty to make an impact with the bat.
“My bowling is getting better. Saqqy has been amazing in terms of helping understand my bowling and setting fields to different batsmen.
“But no matter how many wickets I get, I’m always going to be a batter.”
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