Moeen Ali century digs England out of trouble on first day of fourth Test

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Moeen Ali century digs England out of trouble on first day of fourth Test


 
MOEEN ALI'S century dug England out of a hole on the first day of the fourth Test against Pakistan.
 
The hosts were heading for a pitiful total at the Oval before Ali's later intervention added some crucial runs to help post a total of 328.
 
 At one point it looked like the spinner would run out of partners up the end of the end of the wicket.
 
 But No.11 James Anderson clung on long enough for Ali to bring up his 100 with a six.
 
 England won the toss and opted for a bat.
 
 But they made a huge mess of their bid to put a big score on the board as they look for a win or draw to seal a series victory.
 
 England led 2-1 going into the first day's play at the Oval, but Pakistan would have been sensing an upset after reducing the hosts to 74-4 early in the day.
 
 Skipper Alastair Cook (35) failed to make a big score after getting himself in.
 
 Fellow opener Alex Hales (6), Joe Root (26), James Vince (1) and Gary Ballance (8) also failed to cover themselves in glory.
 
 Jonny Bairstow showed some resistance, making 55.
 
 But then Ali stood up to the task with his vital 108 before being caught in the deep to end England's innings.
 
 Chris Woakes added a useful 45 and England made up for their poor start with a decent end to the day.
 
 Stuart Broad got England off to the perfect start in their bid to dismiss Pakistan cheaply, taking Sami Aslam for just 3.
 
 Pakistan closed the day on 3-1.