Shakib fastest

Moeen completes all-rounder Test ‘double’

AFP, LONDON: Moeen Ali became the fifth-quickest player in terms of matches played to do the Test 'double' of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets when he completed the feat against South Africa at Lord's on Friday.

Worcestershire’s Ali, started the second day of the first Test with 1988 runs and 98 wickets at this level. The left-handed batsman took care of the first part of the ‘double’ by extending his overnight 61 not out into a dashing 87 in England’s first innings 458.

Primarily a batsman, until England deployed him as more of an off-spinner, the 30-year-old Ali has often been criticised for not being a ‘front-rank’ bowler. Yet on Friday he produced a sharply turning off-break to have star batsman Hashim Amla lbw for 29.

Ali then removed South Africa captain Dean Elgar, who had been holding the innings together, for 54 when the opener was caught off bat and pad by Gary Ballance at short leg.

Fastest players to Test double of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets (matches, player, country):

31     Shakib Al Hasan     BAN

36    Trevor Goddard     RSA

37     Tony Greig     ENG

37     Keith Miller     AUS

38     Moeen Ali     ENG

39     Vinoo Mankad     IND

42     Ian Botham     ENG

 

Shakib fastest

Moeen completes all-rounder Test double

AFP, LONDON: Moeen Ali became the fifth-quickest player in terms of matches played to do the Test double of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets when he completed the feat against South Africa at Lords on Friday. Worcestershires Ali, started the second day of the first Test with 1988 runs and 98 wickets at this level. The left-handed batsman took care of the first part of the double by extending his overnight 61 not out into a dashing 87 in Englands first innings 458. Primarily a batsman, until England deployed him as more of an off-spinner, the 30-year-old Ali has often been criticised for not being a front-rank bowler. Yet on Friday he produced a sharply turning off-break to have star batsman Hashim Amla lbw for 29. Ali then removed South Africa captain Dean Elgar, who had been holding the innings together, for 54 when the opener was caught off bat and pad by Gary Ballance at short leg. Fastest players to Test double of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets (matches, player, country): 31 Shakib Al Hasan BAN 36 Trevor Goddard RSA 37 Tony Greig ENG 37 Keith Miller AUS 38 Moeen Ali ENG 39 Vinoo Mankad IND 42 Ian Botham ENG