England all-rounder Moeen Ali is honoured to be the new cover star of this year’s Wisden Cricketers' Almanack.
The 27-year-old, an elegant batsman and canny off-spinner, will follow in the footsteps of cricketing greats such as Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar on the front the prestigious book, which first introduced picture covers in 2003.
The image, released in the last few days, shows Moeen celebrating a Test wicket during his breakthrough year in international cricket.
"It's obviously a very prestigious book and it's an honour to be on the front," he said as England enjoyed a day off in Perth.
"I didn't really know who was on there before until someone sent me a list, so it's nice to know. I have got a couple of copies from the past and my dad's definitely going to be getting a copy of the new one!"
The Worcestershire man has become an important member of England’s squad after making his debut in all formats in 2014.
Here it is. The 2015 Wisden cover reveal. Pre-order now for £32.50. Use discount code: reveal http://t.co/t8uO879tLopic.twitter.com/jnf4uWWfjd
— Wisden Almanack (@WisdenAlmanack) January 22, 2015
After his limited-overs bows arrived in the West Indies in February and March, Moeen soon proved his credentials in Test cricket.
The left-hander compiled his maiden Test century in only his second match, in a losing cause against Sri Lanka at Headingley, before becoming England’s premier spinner following several match-winning contributions in the Investec Series win over India.
He said: "It's been a really good year, but it's gone quickly and hopefully I have a lot more good years."
Now Moeen has been handed the opportunity to cement his place at the top of England’s one-day international batting line-up ahead of the World Cup.
Moeen and new partner Ian Bell, promoted to the top at the expense of Alastair Cook, have flourished batting together, sharing England’s first century opening stand for two years against Australia in Hobart on Friday.
Although Moeen has not followed Bell’s big scores, he is enjoying time in the middle with his former Warwickshire team-mate.
"Belly's is one of the best I've played with, one of the classiest," said Moeen. "The way he is batting at the minute, in the nets and everything, is unbelievable to be honest.
"He doesn't score ugly runs and he's very good to bat with. In an ideal world we want to go on longer together and I think we will as we get more opportunities to open together."
It is not only with the bat that Moeen has an important role to play for England.
His performances with the ball have continued to improve and, since the Tri-Series began, he has kept the reliable James Tredwell out of the side.
"I've started off quite well with the ball, just to keep it simple," he said. "If I bowl flight to some of these guys they'll murder it so I try not to give too much air. When the conditions are right with a bit of spin I'll look to attack a bit more.
“We've not come across one like that yet so for me it's about bowling dots for the team and trying not to go for boundaries.
“I'm trying just to stay on as well...if I bowl 10 overs every game I'll be bowling all right."