Moeen Ali recalled to England squad for second Test against India

The Worcestershire allrounder, who has not played a home Test for more than two years, is set to be parachuted into the starting XI at Lord's on Thursday

England have handed a Test recall to Moeen Ali.

The Worcestershire allrounder, who has not played a home Test for more than two years, is set to be parachuted into the starting XI at Lord's on Thursday.

England are desperately seeking balance in their batting following injuries to Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes, and Moeen brings both a good record at No.7 and reliable off-spin.

His return means Birmingham Phoenix will be without their captain for the remaining group-stage matches of The Hundred.

Moeen has been in excellent form for Phoenix, with his blistering half-century on Monday night helping them to victory over Welsh Fire and top spot in the league standings.

He is the second prominent player from The Hundred to be airflifted out of the competition and into England's red-ball plans in a matter of days, after Jonny Bairstow was brought back into the squad for the first LV= Insurance Test.

Moeen told the BBC on Monday: "Of course if you get the call-up, then playing for England is the highest thing you can get. If I get the call then I'll be available.

^{Moeen Ali has been called up by England}

"It's a win-win for me, things are going really well for me here and the team."

Moeen last featured in a home Test against Australia at Edgbaston in August 2019, and made one appearance in the series defeat in India in the winter.

Chris Silverwood, the England head coach and selector, said on Monday that the 34-year-old had "always been under consideration".

"We know he is a fine cricketer and we know he is showing fine form in The Hundred at the moment, though I appreciate it's a different format," he said.

"Could Mo play at Lord's? All I'll say is my mind's not closed to anything. If it fits and works for the team then it's something we have to consider."

Moeen's recall could come at the expense of Dan Lawrence in the middle order, with Jos Buttler moving up a place to No.6. 

It would mean another Test carrying the drinks for Jack Leach, the Somerset left-armer who has been a regular part of England squads at home over the past 18 months without featuring.

Just five of Leach's 16 Test caps have come in matches in this country.

Meanwhile, Silverwood is also pondering an international return for Haseeb Hameed as England look to stabilise a fragile top three.

Hameed was included in the Test squad for the first match of the India series at Trent Bridge last week, after impressing for Nottinghamshire and making a century for a county XI against the tourists, but has not played for his country since November 2016.