ENGLAND star Moeen Ali has revealed his delight at leading Worcestershire after his stint as captain was extended to include the Championship clash with Yorkshire.
The all-rounder was released by England for the four-day clash with the Tykes after not being included in the side for the third Specsavers Test with India at Trent Bridge.
Moeen, whose hundred helped the Rapids defeat Birmingham Bears in the Blast at Edgbaston on Friday, hit 219 in his second Championship appearance of the season to put his name in the frame for an England recall for next week’s fourth Test in Southampton.
Injury to keeper Jonny Bairstow and the failings of England’s under-performing batting line-up could see Moeen return to the international ranks at the venue where he took 6-67 four years ago to spin England to victory.
The Rapids ace revealed he was delighted to lead his county and Friday’s pressure-cooker Vitality Blast clash with Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston was ideal preparation for the quarter-finals.
Moeen is expected to lead the Rapids in Saturday’s showdown with Gloucestershire with a first appearance at Finals Day at Edgbaston just one win away for the county.
“Am I enjoying the captaincy? I love it. It keeps you in the game and the boys are brilliant to lead and we’ve done some really good stuff,” he said.
“I did a bit of captaincy with the England Under-19s. It is completely different being a captain in T20 to a four-day game and stuff like that. It is more my style.”
“I’m batting once a week at the moment. I’m training and trying to get better all the time. You just go out and try and do your best every time you go out.
“It’s not difficult (switching from England to domestic T20). It’s different but it’s never difficult.
“Both bunches of lads are similar, really nice guys, and easy to be part of,” he added.
