Moeen Ali 'Surprised' to get 19 Wickets in India-England Test Series

Moeen Ali has been a great find for England in the Test series versus India. The 27-year-old Birmingham-born all-rounder has grabbed all the attention with his off-spins as much as his beard and 'Save Gaza' wrist bands. With the fifth and final Test coming up at the Oval from Friday, Moeen Ali could become England's most successful spinner against India in a series. (Complete coverage of England vs India)

Moeen Ali has scripted back-to-back Test wins for England. He has played the perfect supporting role to pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad. With 19 wickets in the series at 22.94 apiece, Moeen has caught everyone by surprise, including himself. (Preview: England vs India, 5th Test)

"I don't know how I'm getting these wickets but I'm happy to," Moeen says with a smile, probably mocking at the idea that the Indians treated him like an ordinary "part-timer" and paid the price. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's world-class batsmen have been caught in Moeen's web of spin and as Sunil Gavaskar said, "gifted" their wickets to spell India's doom at Southampton and Manchester. (England vs India in stats)

"They felt I was an easy target, a guy they could get easy runs from, which has helped me quite a bit," Moeen told ESPNCricinfo. "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."

Happy to be a conventional spinner, Moeen found unexpected 'help' in ICC Elite umpire Kumar Dharmasena, who was a Sri Lankan Test off-spinner during his playing days. Dharmasena's tips before the second Test at Lord's have worked wonders while Ian Bell provided the batsman's point of view to boost confidence. Effectively, Moeen is happy with his bowling and doesn't want to experiment with the 'doosra' or the carom ball, two shock deliveries in a spinner's arsenal.

"Yeah, I don't need it at the moment. The way I'm bowling at the moment, attacking both sides of the bat because some of them are going straight on, means I don't really need it. I'd still like to have it in my repertoire but it needs a lot more work."

 "I don't want to get carried away," Moeen said. "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."

Moeen's clarity of thought has helped in life and cricket. He is not overtaken by his new-found status and knows cricket can mockery of talent and reputation.

"I don't really read a lot and am not on Twitter or social stuff so I don't get too excited or too down. I try and be as level as I can and if things do get tough then I can sit back and tell myself it's just a game of cricket - there's more to life than cricket. And when things get too over the top, I do the same thing, bring myself down a little bit."

Moeen knows how cricket has turned his life for the better. He just wants to keep the wheel rolling with modesty.