MOEEN Ali's hopes of a return to the England test team have been given a boost after he was named in a 30-man training squad.

Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen was picked for the squad, which is preparing for the upcoming test series against the West Indies, due to start next month.

Moeen has been out of the side since the first Ashes test last summer, following a downturn in his form.

Since then, the 32 year-old has taken a break from the game and says he is coming back refreshed and ready for action.

England's chief selector Ed Smith said: "He feels refreshed and he's looking forward to rejoining the England environment.

"The principle was he had stepped back from Test cricket. That is no longer the case and he is available for selection.

"That is good news because he is a valued and trusted player across all formats, and he is a big part of England cricket, full stop."

Last month, Worcester Rapids skipper Moeen said he was "desperate" to return to test cricket following his break.

Speaking to the BBC's Doosra podcast, Moeen said he only has "two or three more years" left playing top level cricket, and is desperate to play as much as he can.

He said: "Since the whole pandemic thing I want to play as much as I can.

"Cricket at the highest level will probably finish for me in two or three years.

"I want to make the most of it and play as much as I can."

Moeen's form with bat and ball had deteriorated rapidly after being the leading international wicket taker in 2018.

He decided to take a break in order to refresh his mind and body having played 186 games across all formats for England in five years all around the world.

He has taken 181 wickets in 60 Tests and in 2018 took more wickets (48 in 10 tests) than any other bowler in test cricket.

However, he made only two half-centuries in his last 20 innings for England, scoring only 90 runs in 2019, 60 of which came in one innings, against the West Indies in Antigua.

In spite of these difficulties, he fought his way back into the side for the white-ball leg of the tour of South Africa this winter.