Worcestershire Rapids have received a huge NatWest T20 Blast quarter-final boost with Moeen Ali cleared by the England and Wales Cricket Board to play in Friday's home clash with Hampshire.
The 28-year-old, who has just helped England to Ashes glory against Australia, has been made available before the fifth Test at The Oval in 10 days time.
Ali has already made a sizeable contribution with the bat for the Rapids in this season's competition, scoring 238 runs in six innings at an average of 39.67 with a top score of 90 against Northants plus a hurricane 65 against Derbyshire.
Worcestershire Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes said: "It has been a great week for England, winning the Ashes, and I'm sure the spirits are very high.
"We are grateful and appreciative to the ECB for releasing Moeen to play.
"We are delighted. He is a crucial member of our side, a very dangerous T20 player, and hopefully will make some contribution in what will be a fantastic quarter-final.
"If anyone was here, the game against Derbyshire, when he absolutely smashed it to all parts of New Road, it showed a great exciting player – and why wouldn't you have a player like that part of such a wonderful occasion.
"He gave me a little tip off before it got announced officially and you could tell from the tone of his message that he was absolutely delighted and couldn't wait to play."
Moeen said: "I’m really pleased that I can play in the Blast quarter-final at Worcester on Friday.
"We’ve never had a home quarter-final before, and it’s a great chance to get back to Edgbaston for finals day."
