England v India, 3rd Test, Post-match Reactions: Dhoni laments being defensive against spin; Cook happy with Moeen Ali's progress

Moeen Ali celebrates dismissing Virat Kohli in the second innings

Southampton, July 31 (IANS) Indian captain MS Dhoni has said that his batsmen need to be positive while playing spinners and not allow the slower bowlers to dictate terms as they did in the just concluded third Test against England at Southampton, one in which off-spinner Moeen Ali picked up 6 wickets in the second innings to hand the home team a series-levelling victory.

Can’t allow spinners to dominate – Dhoni

"I don't think we played good cricket over here but at the same time I think we played the fast bowlers well," the 33-year-old said.

"Moeen, I think, bowled well but, still, we let him bowl well. It is very important to be positive against the spinner, especially when there is not much on offer. I think he bowled very good lines. If you keep defending, one odd ball will turn because there is considerable amount of wear and tear on the wicket."

"There were quite a few (soft dismissals), the phase where Jinks (Rahane) got out, a couple of other wickets that fell, that really had a big impact on the game. It was not only that half an hour, I think even last night, the last session really had a big impact on the game because we lost quite a few wickets, and quite a few of them were quite soft dismissals, and if we were in a good position last night, not losing those two or three wickets, definitely then you look at it in a different way," said the Indian captain.

Delighted with Moeen’s progress – Alastair Cook

“The team from 1 to 11 have been fantastic. Moeen’s bowling has come on leaps and bounds, credit to him. When you’re bowing behind Ajmal at Worcester and he’s been bowling a lot. Responding really well and on a spinning wicket to get a six-for, can’t really ask for more,” Cook said at the post-match presentation.

The English opener said that his team won every single session in the match and deserved the win.

“Happy is the word, not relieved. We pretty much won every single session and that credit to the guys. It’s a great win, we wanted to get on that wicket first and to get 570 is a great start and bowled well and batted quickly and knocked them over again,” said Cook.

Cook, though, said that he was frustrated at not reaching the three-figure mark after a 95 in the first innings and an unbeaten 70 in the second.

“I thought my game was heading in the right direction even with 10s and 20s. Frustrating not to get the hundred, but I’d take what I got. Getting back into the ball is vital, I’m pretty good with the short ball. I nicked outside off stump and I had to take care of that. I had to work incredibly hard. Jos Buttler’s been brilliant with his quick runs and his keeping has been great too. Leader of the attack, James Anderson. Got a couple of wickets to set us off and settle nerves.”

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