WORCESTERSHIRE's Moeen Ali says he has "unfinished business" in test cricket as he prepares to fight for selection in England's first test against India on Friday. 

Covid ruled Ali out of the series with Sri Lanka last month but after a full recovery, he is in contention for the first test in Chennai.

Ali has form in Chennai too, where four years ago he scored the most recent of his five Test centuries, although his 146 was overshadowed by India romping to an eventual 4-0 series win.

He insists he feels ready to play and is eager to make a swift impact on this series to convince the selectors he should stay on for the third and fourth Tests - a decision that has yet to be made.

"I have little targets that I want to achieve first, like I'm not too far away from 200 wickets," said Ali to Sky Sports. 

"I know people say they don't look at these kind of things but it would be something that I'd love and then I'd set another target after that. I'm just going to take series by series and not take things for granted.

"I got to a point where I was going on every tour and I was almost too comfortable. It's a nice position to be in now; as much as you don't fight for places with guys, I feel it's a drive and it motivates me big time."

He added: "I feel like I've still got wickets, runs and match-winning performances in me.

"Having a break 18 months or so ago, during that I felt like I still have it in me to do well."
The four-match series will be shown on free-to-air terrestrial television for the first time since the 2005 Ashes after Channel 4 wrapped up a deal to show the four-match series in India.

Sky Sports and BT Sport had both shown interest in the tour but rights holders Star Sports took negotiations deep, eventually signing with Channel 4 less than 48 hours hours ahead of the first Test in Chennai, which begins at 4am on Friday.

The matches will be shown using a direct live feed from India, with a studio-based commentary team providing insights. It is understood that both Sir Andrew Strauss and Sir Alastair Cook are in line to take part.

A statement from the broadcaster's chief content officer Ian Katz, read: "This is fantastic news for all cricket fans in the UK. It's been a long 16-year wait for the return of live Test cricket to free to air television but it couldn't have come at a better time.

"What better antidote to the lockdown blues than an England Test series in sunny India."