Moeen's ready to go

16 April 2015 08:17

All-rounder Moeen Ali will join the England squad on Saturday ahead of the second Test in Grenada.

Moeen was left out of the original 16-man party after suffering tearing abdominal muscles at the World Cup, with Adil Rashid selected in his place.

But Moeen has been called out to the West Indies having suffered no ill-effects from the LV= County Championship clash against Yorkshire.

In that game he scored 62 and bowled 11 pain-free overs.

Rashid could yet be sent home to rejoin Yorkshire's title defence as a result of Moeen's return, having lost out on selection for the first Test to Kent off-spinner James Tredwell.

Moeen's call-up will present England with an interesting decision.

He enjoyed a fine summer of Test cricket in 2014, taking 19 wickets in a name-making series against India as well as scoring a maiden Test century against Sri Lanka.

That makes him a near certain pick should England's medical staff deem him fit and ready for action - but Tredwell has enjoyed a strong return to the Test side in Antigua after five years out.

That raises the possibility of two spinners should the track in Grenada favour slow bowling, while there might even be a temptation to slot Moeen in up the order with Gary Ballance out of form at number three.

Source: PA