WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids have received a massive boost with Moeen Ali being made available by England for three more of their Royal London One-Day Cup North Group matches.
Moeen has already played in the opening two victories in the competition against Notts Outlaws and then Leicestershire Foxes when he top scored with 90.
The 29-year-old has been given the green light to play in the away clash with Lancashire Lightning on May 10 and the home games with Warwickshire on May 12 and Durham on May 14.
Director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: “It is terrific news that Mo has been made available by England for another three One-Day Cup matches.
“He is an international class player who is always welcomed back by us and is very popular with his team-mates.
“His 90 against Leicestershire in our last group game was a top class knock and set us up for a substantial total.”
The plan is also for all of the Test squad to play in the day-night round of County Championship matches between June 26-29, allowing them to gain experience of the pink Dukes balls that will be used for the historic day-night Investec Test against West Indies at Edgbaston between August 17-21.
Worcestershire take on Durham at the Emirates Riverside during that four-day period.
Andrew Strauss, director of England cricket, said: “This was always going to be a difficult summer in terms of managing the workload on our England players, with such a hectic schedule including the Champions Trophy as well as seven Tests, followed by an equally busy winter in Australia and New Zealand.
“We also have Lions matches against South Africa and South Africa A as part of the reciprocal arrangements which allow our future England players to gain valuable experience overseas in the winter.”