"He always adds value": England captain Joe Root talks up Moeen Ali recall

The allrounder asked to be rested from the Test series in New Zealand but is being touted for a return for the visit to South Africa next month

Moeen Ali would be welcomed back with open arms to the England Test team if he chooses to make himself available for next month's series in South Africa.

The allrounder has asked not to be considered for the red-ball side for the considerable future and was omitted from the squad for the two-Test tour of New Zealand as a result.

Following a poor display in the first Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston, Moeen lost his place in the side and took a short break from all forms of cricket.

He returned to guide Worcestershire to T20 Finals Day and played in two County Championship matches before embarking on spells in the Mzansi Super League and the T10 League.

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Captain Joe Root believes that despite being 32 Moeen still has a lot to offer England in the longest form and could yet resume his Test career later this winter.

"I see Moeen as someone who can offer a huge amount to this team," Root said ahead of England's first Test against New Zealand in Tauranga starting on Wednesday.

"He made a decision he wanted a bit of a break from Test cricket and sometimes you do need that. You need to freshen your mind up to keep that hunger and desire.

"We'll have that conversation with him again, probably in the next couple of weeks. If he is in that [good] place he always adds value to our team.

"When he's on form and playing well he offers so much and adds a different dimension to our playing group. He's got to be comfortable and ready to come back to Test cricket but we're very open to that, for sure."

Also absent from the tour are fast-bowling pair James Anderson and Mark Wood, both of whom are working their way back to full fitness while training in Spain.

Anderson missed almost all of the Ashes with a calf injury while Wood has not played a game of cricket since the World Cup when he suffered a side problem, before undergoing surgery on his knee.

^{Mark Wood and James Anderson are close to making a full recovery}

Both men are making significant progress and are set to be considered for selection for the four Tests in South Africa, which start from Boxing Day.

"They very much have a chance to push for selection," he added. "They are working very hard and getting overs in their legs outside. They're currently in Spain and they'll go out to Potch to further that fitness. 

"Hopefully, by the end of this tour when it comes round to selection, we'll have a lot more information on whether they are fit and available for selection.

"In the last couple of years, Jimmy has probably been at his peak. He's still finding ways to exploit conditions, take wickets and lead the attack. His desire and hunger and the way he's going about his rehab just shows how desperate he is to keep playing."

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