MOEEN Ali thanks a last-minute tutorial with coach Paul Farbrace for helping him get back on track as a one-day international batsman against South Africa.

Before his unbeaten 77 at Headingley last week in the 72-run win Moeen had mustered just a solitary half-century in his last 28 ODI innings since a career-best 128 at the 2015 World Cup.

The Worcestershire all-rounder has found it difficult to fulfil varying demands as he has moved up and down the England order.

Batting at number seven again Moeen came up with another crucial innings of 33 from 19 balls to help them to 330-6 in Saturday's narrow two-run win at Southampton.

The hosts have won the series after taking a 2-0 lead with just one match to play at Lord's tomorrow (11am).

Moeen has demonstrated power as well as his trademark touch and timing but is still not an advocate of focusing on big-hitting techniques.

“I find if I work on it I lose my rhythm,” he said. “I actually wasn’t batting that well in the nets.

“I went inside with Paul and he knows my game quite well now. I had a chat with him and he helped — and I felt in a good rhythm going into the (opening) match.”

Moeen, who grew up as an opener, has struggled to find a consistent platform in England’s ODI team for his attractive batting and was left out of the two early-season victories over Ireland.

“I find batting seven tough,” he added. “But I’m trying to be good at it and get better at it.

“On previous occasions when I’ve had the opportunity to play a lot more balls I’ve given my wicket away a bit early.

“I told myself I was going to give myself a bit more time.”

After his man-of-the-match display in the first game against South Africa he then took the wicket of opener Quinton de Kock for 98 in the second clash and caught out Farhaan Behardien.

Moeen's performances in the series so far make him a likely starter in next month's ICC Champions Trophy which begins for England against Bangladesh on Thursday at The Oval.