England vs South Africa 2017, 1st Test: 5 talking points

#4 Moeen Ali turning out to be indispensable for England

Moeen Ali capped off a fine all-round performance

Often the sacrificed lamb when England need one, Moeen Ali seemed like he was always playing for a place in the side. But that has disappeared into the wind in the past few months with him becoming an indispensable force for England in Test cricket. And it came to the fore again with him producing a Man of the Match performance in Lord's.

Ali finished the game with a 10-wicket haul and considering his valuable contribution with the bat as well, this is easily one of Ali's best performances in the whites for England. The manner in which he tied down Hashim Amla in the first innings and ran through the line-up in the second are signs that indicate that Ali is finally gaining a reputation as a premier off-spinner.