moeen ali is back in the test squad for the first specsavers test – england’s 1000th – against india at edgbaston starting on august 1.
the worcestershire all-rounder was not selected for the final test of the winter series in new zealand or the two tests versus pakistan earlier in the 2018 campaign.
but the 31-year-old has been chosen in the 13 against the country he tormented during the 2014 series in this country – including a career best 6-63 at the ageas bowl.
moeen impressed with the ball in taking eight wickets in this week’s specsavers county championship clash with somerset at New Road.
that performance was in front of one of the england selectors in james taylor and one of the ecb scouts in marcus trescothick who was playing for somerset.
worcestershire head coach kevin sharp said: “he was outstanding against somerset. his bowling was sensational.
“as much as we would love to have him at worcester – he is always very welcome – we want him to play at the highest level as well and we are pleased for him.”
national selector ed smith said: “moeen ali has taken his strong bowling form from england’s odi team into the county championship, where he picked up eight wickets in a fine display against somerset this week.
“moeen is recalled to the xiii having missed out on selection against pakistan.”
adil rashid returns to the squad for the the first time since he played in the fifth test against india at chennai in december 2016.
the leg-spinner has been in fine form in one-day cricket this summer taking 20 wickets at an average of 23.95 in england’s series victories over australia and india.
if selected, rashid, who signed a white-ball only deal with yorkshire in february, will play his first test in england having earned his previous 10 away from home.
essex seamer jamie porter earns his first call-up to the test squad after impressing for essex and the england lions over past few seasons.
the 25-year-old was named the specsavers county championship player of the year in 2017 and was instrumental in essex lifting their first county championship title since 1992.
england test squad
joe root (yorkshire) captain
moeen ali (worcestershire)
jimmy anderson (lancashire)
jonny bairstow (yorkshire) wicketkeeper
stuart broad (nottinghamshire)
jos buttler (lancashire)
alastair cook (essex)
sam curran (surrey)
keaton jennings (lancashire)
dawid malan (middlesex)
jamie porter (essex)
adil rashid (yorkshire)
ben stokes (durham)
