“Sri Lanka were playing really well at the time and to do it in that way was great”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England all-rounder Moeen Ali has announced that “it was nice to contribute to the side” after he dismissed Sri Lanka’s batting duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne in the space of three balls.

Ali saved England from a disastrous situation as Sangakkara had already surpassed the half-century mark before he was trapped lbw.

“It was nice to contribute to the side, to bring us back into the game because Sri Lanka were playing really well at the time and to do it in that way was great,” Ali said. “I was just trying to bowl as straight as I could to Sangakkara, bowl a dot ball really. He’s taken me down a couple of times already but I was just trying to do a job for the team and thankfully it came off.”

Ali also revealed that he has been receiving a lot of advice and tips from Graeme Swann, who retired in December.

“When he comes down (to the pitch) I try and speak to him here and there. Why not? He’s been one of best spinners in world for last seven or eight years,” he said. “I’ve spoken to him here and there and he tries to give me lots of confidence. He’s told me to just enjoy it and enjoy playing for England all the time.”

Speaking about bowling the doosra, Ali said: “Yeah, I bowled one. I was feeling pretty confident so I thought ‘why not?’. It’s the first one I’ve bowled. I just wanted to do a job for the team first because I’m not as confident with the red ball as I am with the white ball. He played it quite well but he did sort of say it was alright!”