WORCESTERSHIRE paceman Kabir Ali made a successful comeback yesterday in a second XI friendly match with Gloucestershire at Bristol.

Kabir has been sidelined since the beginning of the campaign after undergoing surgery to cure a double hernia problem in early April.

But the 23-year-old has made rapid progress and was able to deliver 12 overs on the opening day.

The County will monitor Kabir over the weekend before deciding whether he is fit enough for senior action in the Frizzell County Championship Division One match with Warwickshire at Edgbaston on Tuesday.

The County's assistant coach Damian D'Oliveira said: "Kabir has done all right. He has been a bit ring-rusty. The idea was for him to bowl three four-over spells and the good thing is he has had no reaction.

"He has bowled off his full run with good pace and is feeling okay. He bowled a couple of no balls and was a bit both sides of the wicket. But he just needs to get into a rhythm and he is feeling all right body-wise.

We'll monitor him over the weekend and see how he feels.

"He won't be rushed back if he is feeling anything or is sore.

"If he doesn't play at Edgbaston, he'll play in another second XI friendly against Durham at Kidderminster on Wednesday and Thursday."