Moeen Ali named in England's training squad for West Indies Test series

Moeen Ali has moved closer to a Test return after being named in the 30-man England training group that will travel to the Ageas Bowl next Tuesday and begin preparations for the three-match series against West Indies.


The 32-year-old all-rounder made himself unavailable for Test selection during the winter – despite two requests to tour both South Africa and Sri Lanka – having experienced a degree of burnout following five years on the road as an all-format international. But Moeen is now involved as part of an enlarged red-ball group that will live and train at Hampshire’s home ground before the first Test on 8 July, the official squad for which will be decided following a three-day practice match the week before.

West Indies would not swap any of their bowlers for Jofra Archer, says Dowrich

“I know Jofra pretty well, he’s an amazing talent and I wish him well going into this series,” said Dowrich. “But at the end of the day when we cross that line, it’s the West Indies against England.”

Asked whether he would rather have Archer in his lineup than face him, Dowrich replied: “No. I think he’s made his decision in terms of where his career is going to go, and I wish him all the best. But at the end of the day we have a wonderful bowling lineup and I’m happy with the team that take the field with me.”