Ed Smith unsure when Moeen Ali will return to Test cricket

In five Tests in 2019, Moeen has scored just 90 runs, with 60 of those coming in a single innings against West Indies in January

England chief selector Ed Smith has admitted he does not know when the Test side will next be able to call on Moeen Ali.

It was announced that the World Cup-winning allrounder would be taking a “short break” from Test cricket after he was dropped ahead of the second Ashes Test following a poor performance in the first game at Edgbaston.

In five Tests in 2019, Moeen has scored just 90 runs, with 60 of those coming in a single innings against West Indies in January.

“In an ideal world we would like Mo to be available but we have to deal with the situation as it is,” Smith said.

“We all know Mo is a talented and valued cricketer for England. At the moment we just don't know if and when that might happen.

“We respect that and we hope he will return to be available sooner rather than later.”

Since declaring himself unavailable for Test cricket, his value has soared in white-ball competitions around the world. He captained Trevor Bayliss’ Team Abu Dhabi in the Abu Dhabi T10 League in November, while also enjoying a short stint in the Mzansi Super League with Cape Town Blitz. He has also been retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of next year's Indian Premier League.

^{Moeen Ali has become a highly-valued commodity in franchise cricket worldwide}

Most intriguingly, he was the first pick for Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League draft. They are now headed by former England coach Andy Flower and analyst Nathan Leamon.

That Moeen was picked so early on in proceedings would suggest that there is some expectation around his availability for the duration of the competition. If that is the case, it would rule him out of England’s Test tour of Sri Lanka, which overlaps with the first edition of the PSL to take place fully in Pakistan.

“I don't think it's ruled out and it's also by no means certain he will be available,” Smith admitted.

“At the moment there's no time frame. But what I did discuss with Moeen – what we all discussed with him – was our aspiration that he's available to play Test cricket for England.

“He's a valued England cricketer. From my point of view and a selection view, the sooner he was available the better and that would include Sri Lanka.

“He did say that there are more Test runs and more Test wickets in him and that was very encouraging. It's disappointing when a player of Moeen's ability and track record is unavailable for selection. In an ideal world, we'd like Moeen to be available.”

In his absence, Jack Leach has been handed the chance to nail down a position as England’s frontline spinner, while Lancashire leg-spinner Matt Parkinson is the secondary option in the 17-man squad for England’s tour of South Africa.

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