JOE ROOT is ready to ask Moeen Ali to end his self-imposed exile from Test cricket.
Captain Root sees Moeen as a valuable asset for Englands upcoming, four-Test tour of South Africa and plans to speak to the all-rounder in the next fortnight.
Moeen took a break from Test cricket after being dropped during the home Ashes series, missing the current tour of New Zealand and losing his red-ball ECB contract.
But Root believes he could be vital in South Africa, with England also appearing certain to recall Jonny Bairstow and fit-again James Anderson.
Root said: I see Moeen as someone who can offer a huge amount to this team.
He wanted a bit of a break from Test cricket and sometimes you need that.
You need to freshen up your mind and keep that hunger and desire. Well have a conversation with him again, probably in the next couple of weeks.
Mos a senior player and, when hes on form, he adds a different dimension to our group. Hes got to be comfortable and ready to come back to Test cricket but were very open to that, for sure.
Moeen, 32, has 2,782 runs and 181 wickets in 60 Tests but none of his five centuries have come since 2016. He averages 11.20 in his last eight Tests.
He has been playing T20 and T10 cricket in South Africa and Abu Dhabi in recent weeks.
But Root and head coach Chris Silverwood will also need to be convinced his enthusiasm for Test cricket has been refreshed.
Anderson says he is virtually 100 per cent fit after missing all but four overs of the Ashes series with a calf injury.
He is training in Spain and will fly to an England camp in Potchefstroom in South Africa early next month.
He will then stay in the country and link up with the Test squad, who arrive on December 14.
Andersons return to the Test team probably at the expense of Sam Curran would weaken the batting. So that makes Moeens return more appealing and he could nudge Headingley hero Jack Leach out of the starting XI.
Bairstow, who played in the T20 series against the Kiwis but was omitted from the Test series which started late last night at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui will also travel to Potchefstroom and is expected to be chosen for the Tests.
England quick bowlers Mark Wood, Craig Overton, Olly Stone and Sussexs uncapped Ollie Robinson make up the camp in South Africa.
Root believes that Anderson has plenty left in his tank, even at the age of 37.
Root insisted: In the last couple of years, hes probably been at his peak. Hes still finding ways to exploit conditions, take wickets and lead the attack.
His desire and the way hes going about his rehab shows how desperate he is to keep playing.
After quite a serious injury, you want to make sure he gets things right and its not a repeatable problem. One thing we shouldnt do is say hes coming to the end because he makes it very clear in his performances its not the case.
