GEORGE DOBELL IN MELBOURNE: Moeen missed out on selection for the 2019 World Cup final but has been a key part of Jos Buttler's side, stepping up into a vice-captaincy role since the retirement of Eoin Morgan
Moeen Ali has admitted he had never been more nervous ahead of a game than for the T20 World Cup final.
Moeen was part of the side that narrowly lost to West Indies in the 2016 final and the side which was beaten by New Zealand in the semi-final of the 2021 version. Now aged 35 and having not won selection for the 2019 50-over World Cup final at Lord's, he was aware his chance may never come again.
But ultimately, he felt victory was even more satisfying for the leadership role he has taken on within the team.
"It felt like it was the biggest game I've ever played in because obviously I was so desperate to win it," Moeen said. "I feel being 35 and at the back end of my career, I felt like this was the most nervous I've ever been for a game.
"And everybody was. But to win the World Cup after missing out in the final in 2016, then the semi-final where we probably felt we should have won in 2021, was amazing. I was desperate to try and win that game.
"I feel like as a team we deserved it, but for me personally I've been a lot more involved with being vice-captain. Having felt like I've contributed in games and just generally off the field, it takes a lot out of me to rally the younger players and guys who were probably struggling a little bit early on to say: 'Come on, you are doing well.'"
Moeen called Adil Rashid "the best leg-spinner in the world" (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
While Moeen may have been satisfied with his own contribution, he was far more effusive in praise of some of his teammates, particularly Adil Rashid, Sam Curran and Ben Stokes.
"I've still been saying Adil Rashid is the best leg-spinner in the world," Moeen said. "When he's bowling like that there's no one that compares to him, his variety and all that.
"Sam Curran has improved a lot. He can bowl in any phase; so, he bowls in the powerplay and then he bowls at the death. He just loves the occasion and he knows what he's doing. He's a fantastic player. And he's only going to get better.
"When it's a big occasion, I think he loves it and he thrives. Playing regularly and cementing a spot in the team has helped him improve, but I feel like there's a lot more to come with his batting. He's a fantastic cricketer to have in your team.
"There were a lot of question marks over Ben at the start but these are the games that you need him. It's not just because it's a big occasion but actually those tight games where the wicket is doing a bit and there's a good bowling attack, he's the guy who steps up really. He's just a special player and that's why he's in the side.
"Everything's attracted to him: the good and the bad a lot of time. But obviously at the moment it's all good. Even if people talk about his strike rate, his average and scores, you've got to have him in your team."