All-rounder Moeen Ali stars as England warm-up for Pakistan one-day series with stylish win over Hong Kong
Fit-again all-rounder Chris Woakes insists the one-day side are intent on revenge following England’s Test-series demise after warming up for their limited-overs tussles with Pakistan by thrashing Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
England racked up a commanding and morale-boosting 169-run victory, posting 342-8 from their 50-over allocation before dismissing their opponents, ranked No15 in the world, for 173 in 43 overs.
Under-pressure Moeen Ali partially redeemed himself following a barren Test series, in which he averaged just 14 from six innings at the top of the order, by top scoring with 71, while opener Alex Hales struck 64.
Yorkshire-bound David Willey was the pick of the England bowlers with 4-43 as seamer Reece Topley and leg-spinner Adil Rashid claimed two apiece for Eoin Morgan’s side, who play Pakistan in the first of four one-day clashes on Wednesday.
“Everyone has said the boys played reasonably well in the Test series but things didn’t go their way,” said Woakes, who bowled six overs yesterday following an injury-plagued year.
“I think they learned as the series went on and, but for a couple of sessions, it could have been a totally different result. It was unfortunate how the series ended up, but we’re hoping to put that right in these one-dayers.
“It will be hard work, Pakistan are very good here, but we hope we’re up for the challenge.”
Surrey’s Jason Roy provided England’s batting with early momentum, hitting 42 off 32 balls and sharing an opening stand of 63 with Hales before being trapped in front by medium-pacer Tanwir Afzal.
There were useful runs throughout the innings as all of England’s batsmen reached double figures, with Jos Buttler’s knock of 38 providing a further boost after the wicketkeeper-batsman was dropped for the third Test in Sharjah. The plaudits, however, went to Moeen for his 36-ball knock which included five sixes, before England’s bowlers, and in particular Willey, assumed centre stage.