PEARS head coach Kevin Sharp has backed Moeen Ali to bounce back from a challenging winter and to regain his Test spot.
Moeen made his 50th Test appearance in just four years in the opening clash of the current series with New Zealand but the 30-year-old was dropped for the Second Test in Christchurch.
Sharp joined the coaching staff at New Road just before Moeen made his breakthrough with England in early 2014 in the West Indies and has no doubt he will come back strongly.
“Moeen has been superb for England during the past four years and made a big impact in all formats of the game,” he said.
“Often players go in and out of the side after making their first breakthrough at international level but Moeen has been a near ever present.
“He missed just one Test – and that was through injury – in getting to the 50 mark and everyone at Worcestershire is so proud of what he has achieved.
“He has set a benchmark for everyone in the Worcestershire dressing room to try and achieve because playing for your country is the highest accolade.
“Every time he comes back and plays for us, it gives everyone a lift and Mo is so popular as well amongst the lads.
“Yes, it has been a challenging winter for him and some other players especially in the Ashes series and for players involved in all formats it has been a very long winter of cricket. But knowing Mo, he will do everything possible to try and reclaim his Test place and there is no doubt about his ability to be able to do that.
“It was only a few months ago that he was one of England’s players of the summer against South Africa and could do no wrong.”