National Selector James Whitaker spoke after naming the squad for next week's Lord's Test
By Callum Dent
Making his England Test debut at Lord’s would be a dream come true for Moeen Ali.
Uncapped in the five-day game, the 26-year-old has been named in a 12-man squad for the opening Investec Test against Sri Lanka at the home of cricket next week.
Moeen, who has played Twenty20 and one-day international cricket for his country, admits winning a first cap will be the pinnacle of his career.
He told ecb.co.uk: “I’m chuffed to bits to get the call and I’m ready to go. Everyone wants to play Test cricket and especially if you make your debut at Lord’s. It doesn’t get better than that. I’m really, really chuffed.
“I am really looking forward to the environment and it is a place I enjoy.”
Moeen, a consistent run-scorer for his county, justified his selection in the first Test squad of Head Coach Peter Moores’ second spell in charge with an impressive performance at the Kia Oval this week.
The all-rounder compiled a superb innings of 162 from 277 balls to lift Worcestershire up to a first-innings 467 before taking a wicket in Surrey’s second knock.
With the form he is in, Moeen believes he is in a good place.
“To hit a bit of form a week before the Test series is nice,” he said.
“I am pretty confident. I will bat wherever they ask me. I have just got to prepare and I am ready to be called upon when the time comes. I have batted in various positions for Worcester.”
Moeen, along with Joe Root, are the spinning options for Alastair Cook in the opening Test of the summer.
The former has excelled as Worcestershire’s frontline spinner over the past few years and would relish the challenge of replicating that form for his country.
Moeen said: “It is something I thrive off. At Worcester I have been the main spinner for the last two or three years.
This is how @RachelRileyRR would announce the @ECB_cricket Test Squad #thebeardthatsfeared#countdownstylepic.twitter.com/U8cX7y7aMP
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) June 5, 2014
“I enjoy the responsibility. As long as I work hard and prepare well, I will be ready for the task. I feel like I can do a good job.”
Moeen, who started out at Warwickshire, has thanked Worcestershire, and director of cricket Steve Rhodes in particular, for the support and guidance he has received during his career to date.
He added: “Not just Worcestershire, Warwickshire as well. They gave me the opportunity by signing me up as a kid and then I went to Worcester.
“Worcester really showed confidence in me and always backed me, especially the coach Steve Rhodes. He has always given me confidence and I am grateful to a lot of people.
"Hopefully I can perform for them.”