Moeen Ali heaps praise on Ben Stokes' 'amazing innings' at Headingley

Moeen Ali hailed for keeping England in – and then backed his captain to produce more Headingley heroics this weekend.

Skipper Stokes shrugged off a glute injury to hit five sixes in a stunning knock of 80 on Friday, rescuing his side from 142 for seven to 237 all out in the third Test, a first-innings deficit of just 26.

Moeen then took the key wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith as closed the second day on 116 for four, a lead of just 142, giving England hope of clawing the series back to 2-1.

‘At one point we were struggling with the bat, then Stokesy played an amazing innings,’ admitted Moeen. ‘He took over and did what he has been doing for a long time.He put us in a position where we still have a great chance.

‘There is so much he is dealing with. His body has been through a lot. There is a lot more than he is showing. But as long as he is batting well, he is fine. He thrives off those situations.’

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