Umpire Kumar Dharmasena's tips helped Moeen Ali to bowl quicker

Moeen Ali

England’s Moeen Ali has revealed the mystery behind the increased pace in his deliveries from previous matches. The off-spinner has benefitted from approaching umpire Kumar Dharmasena – a former Sri Lankan offie, who suggested Ali to hold his pockets with his left hand while delivering the ball to exert more pace.

According to observations, he bowls around five miles faster than he did when he made his debut in international cricket.

Dharmasena’s advice

Ali was quoted saying by The Telegraph that Ian Bell pointed out the areas he lagged behind and he improved drastically, which has helped him become the second highest wicket-taker in the ongoing series.

"After the first Test at Trent Bridge, where I went for quite a few runs, I sat down and analysed it and felt the need for change,” Ali said.

“Then Belly [Ian Bell] took me to one side on the practice day at Lord's and said: 'Look, this is what you've got to do to be consistent in the Test side, this is what Swanny [Graeme Swann] did, bowl quicker and straighter, especially on a first-day pitch.'

"Then I went into the nets and the umpire Kumar Dharmasena was there and I asked him, as a former off-spinner, how could I bowl quicker without it being flat. I didn't want to bowl one-day stuff. And he said to me: 'Just grab your pocket as quickly as you can with your non-bowling arm.' As soon as I bowled one ball I knew it would work. That, for some reason, allows me to bowl quicker and straighter without being flat.

"I knew that was how I needed to bowl from then on. It's completely different from county cricket. I bowled there in the eye line, as people say, and I didn't have consistency. As soon as I bowled that way for England I got hammered, especially by India and Sri Lanka because they use their feet so well. Even slightly good balls disappear. So I had to bowl quicker and straighter and to my field a bit more," explained the 27-year-old.

Umpires are allowed to have a friendly talk with players and it seems that England are making the best use of Ali’s form following Dharmasena’s suggestion. By holding onto his pockets with his non-bowling arm, he is able to thrust more pace on his delivery hand which is evident from the last Test.

Becoming a reliable Test spinner

The 27-year-old has scalped wickets at a rate of 39 balls per dismissal in the series compared to Ravindra Jadeja’s 104 with his part time off-spin, inviting suggestions that England should continue with Ali as their specialist spinner. Even Ravichandran Ashwin went wicketless on his comeback Test at Old Trafford that further adds value to his numbers.

"I don't feel that way yet. I don't want to get carried away," he said on the leading spinner remark.

"But I do feel I've taken a big step towards being a decent Test spinner. I feel like I have more control, and that my captain and team-mates can trust me. But I don't want to speak too soon in case I get hammered on Friday but I feel very confident."

Helped by India’s aggression

Notably, he has surpassed Swann’s numbers in the 2011 home Test series against the same opponents. More than that, he is now fourth on the list of spinners to bag more wickets against India outside the subcontinent.

Speaking on his achievement against the Indians who are known to dominate tweekers, Ali pointed out that their intention of being aggressive against him has worked in his favour.

"They felt I was an easy target, a guy they could get easy runs from, which has helped me quite a bit. If they attack me, now I'm bowling well, I've got a chance. But they're very good players of spin. I don't know how I'm getting these wickets but I'm happy to! I feel like I'm on top and I feel I can get players out," he added on his game.

Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar also expressed similar views on his surprising success.

The fifth and final Test of the series begins on Friday at The Oval. The visitors will be keen to restore their reputation against spin when they take the field against the ‘beard that is feared’.