Moeen back in the fold but with work to do to oust Bess

MOEEN ALI could make his return to Test cricket after a year in the wilderness if he shines in an inter-squad warm-up.

National selector Ed Smith yesterday named a 30-man ‘behind-closeddoors training squad’, with the all-rounder in for the first time since the Ashes.

While England have yet to decide the precise format for the three-day warm-up, starting on July 1, Smith insisted it will be a “great opportunity” for fringe players, including Moeen, below, to state their case.

Smith said: “The exciting thing is we are getting our leading cricketers on the field.We’ll see people playing alongside each other for the first time and against each other sometimes for the first time.”

“For younger bowlers to bowl at the best batsmen and younger batsmen to face the best bowlers, what a fantastic opportunity.

“We are very pleased we have young players pushing hard in all positions.”

England have yet to decide whether to make their game “probables v possibles” or mix it up.

Yet it is clear Moeen will have to dazzle to oust spinner Dom Bess from the side.

Rory Burns was also named in the England fold for the first time since injuring his ankle playing football in the warm-up to the first Test in South Africa. His impressive start to Test cricket, scoring two centuries and six fifties in 15 matches, is likely to see him nudge out Zak Crawley as opener. But the possible absence of Root to attend the birth of his second child may free up a slot in the top order. West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite said their bowlers were taking no prisoners in the Old Trafford nets as they gear up to face England. Kemar Roach, Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel give them plenty of firepower for Southampton. Brathwaite said: “Our net sessions are competitive and the guys aggressive with the ball – it will get you in shape for what is coming.” ENGLAND’S TRAINING GROUP: Ali, Anderson, Archer, Bairstow, Bess, Bracey, Broad, Burns, Buttler, Crawley, S Curran, Denly, Foakes, Gregory, Jennings, Lawrence, Leach, Mahmood, C Overton, J Overton, Parkinson, Pope, Robinson, Root (capt), Sibley, Stokes, Stone, Virdi, Woakes, Wood.