MOEEN Ali will look to impress close to home as the Ashes heads to the Midlands at Birmingham’s Edgbaston ground tomorrow (11am).

The all-rounder, 28, was born in the city and started his cricket career with Warwickshire before flourishing after moving to Worcestershire eight years ago.

Moeen’s performances with the bat at county level, as well as his off-spin bowling, earned him the England call and he has started the first two Tests against Australia.

The opening 169-run victory at Cardiff saw the Worcestershire star score 77 batting at number eight and take five wickets during the match.

But England suffered a heavy 405-run humbling in the second Test at Lord’s with Moeen’s useful 39 in the first innings followed by a duck alongside three wickets with the ball in total.

Meanwhile, seamer Steven Finn could be set for a recall with Mark Wood a doubt for tomorrow at Edgbaston.

Durham’s Wood has played both matches against Australia but was hampered by an ankle complaint at Lord’s.

His hit-and-miss fitness record over the course of his career could count against him.

Finn is the spare paceman in the squad and will feature if Wood is rested.

Wood was a full participant in training this morning but heavy rain in Birmingham meant he was denied a full work-out in the outdoor nets.

“We are a little concerned about Woodie,” admitted captain Alastair Cook.

“With the weather, he couldn’t bowl outside and we’ll have to make a call on him on the day.

“If he is out then, with the forecast, probably Finn will be pushing to play.

“Wood has played a huge amount of cricket over the last six to eight months so we have to be careful with him.

“Finn has bowled really well for Middlesex and in the one-day matches recently.

Whoever gets the call will be the lucky one.”

Finn, 26, has been a one-day regular for England in recent months but has not played a Test in over two years.