Credit: ICC
On July 31, 2017, England all-rounder Moeen Ali grabbed a hat-trick in his team’s colossal 239-run success at The Oval Test. Batting first after winning the toss, the hosts posted a fine total of 353 runs on the board. Ben Stokes and Alastair Cook shone with their bats and notched up 112 and 88 respectively. Following the score, South Africa got bundled out on 175 as Toby Roland-Jones and James Anderson were too hot to handle for the visitors. Jones took a fifer, while Anderson also grabbed three wickets in his spell. Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes also got one wicket apiece.
In the second innings, England declared their innings after reaching a total of 313/8, which helped them deliver a target of 492 to the Protea side. Chasing the huge target, South Africa’s batting unit looked completely out of rhythm. Except for Dean Elgar, no other batter showed fighting spirit. Elgar became the victim of Moeen Ali after scoring 136 off 228.
After hunting Elgar’s scalp, Moeen got rid of Kagiso Rabada the next delivery and ended his 16th over. In the next over, when he came to bowl, he succeeded in trapping Morne Morkel and registered his maiden and only red-ball hat-trick. With his three consecutive wickets, England also managed to get the better of South Africa after bowling them out for 252 runs.
Ben Stokes named POTM after England's convincing win over South Africa
In England’s triumph, Ben Stokes became the Player of the Match (POTM) for his all-round brilliance. After racking up a spectacular ton in the first innings, he also picked up three wickets in the match.
Moeen Ali, who took three wickets in a row, ended his 16.1-over spell with 4/45 figures. Roland-Jones was the unsung hero of the match as he chipped in with three wickets in the second innings after claiming a fifer in the first innings.
