ENGLAND all-rounder Moeen Ali could be available for the early part of Worcestershire’s 2017 campaign after talks between the county and the ECB.
Pears director of cricket Steve Rhodes revealed the New Road side had a ‘good chance’ of welcoming Moeen back after he held talks with ECB Director of England Cricket Andrew Strauss.
A number of provisional dates of availability have been handed to Rhodes but any final decision on centrally-contracted Moeen’s availability will be made following the Three Lions’ return from the West Indies.
England are next in action in early May with two One Day International’s against Ireland and then a white ball series versus South Africa ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in June.
“We had provisional dates explained to us by Andrew Strauss at a meeting as to when people might be available to play who are part of all formats for England,” Rhodes said.
“We have got an idea but it is all subject to how fit they are and whether they are rested up but he will play some cricket as long as he is fit to play early season which is great.
“Everything is one stage at a time and Moeen is contracted primarily to England and we have to fall in line.
“But for the supporters, there is a good chance of Moeen Ali playing some cricket early season for Worcestershire.”
Last season Moeen was able to play three early season County Championship matches and averaged 91 with a top score of 136 against Gloucestershire at Bristol.
The 29-year-old all-rounder’s last appearance for the county was in the Royal London One-Day Cup quarter-final against Somerset at Taunton last August