MOEEN Ali was crowned professional player of the year at the inaugural Asian Cricket Awards at Lord’s.

The England and Worcestershire all-rounder finished ahead of Warwickshire’s Varun Chopra, Yorkshire’s Adil Rashid and Essex all-rounder Ravi Bopara.

Moeen scored his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka at Headingley and picked up 19 wickets in five Tests against India to earn a central contract.

He also helped the County gain promotion from LV= County Championship Division Two, averaging more than 60 from his eight appearances.

Moeen said afterwards: “I wish my dad (Munir) was here, he has done a lot for me.”

There was a double success as Birmingham’s Salma Bi, who plays for Worcestershire, won the Women in Cricket Award.

Meanwhile, bowling coach Matt Mason is convinced Worcestershire double award winner Charlie Morris will “definitely push for higher honours” in the future.

Ex-New Road paceman Mason believes Morris “would have been spoken about” as a candidate for this winter’s England performance squad after an eye-catching first season of county cricket.

Morris finished with 52 wickets in the Championship and was voted the County’s players’ player and young player of the year.

Mason said: “I’m sure Charlie would have been spoken about (regarding the performance squad). You can’t have his performances and not be.

“But it is his first season and if you look at the people in that squad, they are all established first-class cricketers. That is an important factor to remember — Charlie has only played one season.

“I think they will look to see how he goes in Division One next year and if he backs up this year’s strong performances, there is every chance he will be involved.

“I am confident with his attitude, skill and effort, he will definitely push for higher honours at some stage. But he is still only 22 so he has got plenty of time.”