STEVE Rhodes has backed Moeen Ali to go all the way to the top after the in-form batsman was named in the England Lions team to tackle Australia in a two-day game at Northampton, starting on Friday.

The left-hander, who is averaging nearly 70 in LV= County Championship Division Two this season, has been rewarded for his superb performances in all formats for Worcestershire with a place in the England second string side.

However, County director of cricket Rhodes is convinced Moeen, 26, has both the talent and mental aptitude to build on this call-up and win a place in the senior England side.

“Moeen was the third player to 1,000 runs this season and certainly deserves his chance at this higher standard,” Rhodes said.

“The Lions team is a stepping stone and he definitely has the ability to play for England — there is no reason why he can’t make it to the full side.

“I would say he can play for England and the next step is to shine for the Lions this week.

“Because he has been named in this squad, you would think he is in the selectors’ plans for the development squad this winter.

“If so, he would then have a full five months with them and, with that, comes the chance to impress.”

Rhodes added: “I have a lot of confidence that the way Moeen has approached his cricket has been much more professional and he is in a much better place mentally with the way he controls his game.

“The hard work he has put in to get him to where he is now has been all down to him. He has put in a lot of time in the nets and his work ethic towards practice has been fantastic.”

Meanwhile, Gareth Andrew is a doubt for today’s Yorkshire Bank 40 trip to Trent Bridge to take on Nottinghamshire (4.10pm).

The all-rounder managed just two overs in Sunday’s 39-run home defeat to Kent, before having to leave the field with a back twinge.

Although the 29-year-old was able to make 43 in the run-chase, he sat out training yesterday and will be assessed today before Rhodes confirms his 11-man team.

The New Road chief said: “Gaz jarred his back and it is still stiff, so we will have to wait and see.

“Nottinghamshire are top of the tree and, if you look at their squad, they have plenty of players who have played international cricket.

“However, we can compete with them — we beat Somerset twice in the Friends Life t20 as well as Northants once and they both qualified from the group, so we know we can compete with the best.”

Worcestershire (from): Mitchell, Moeen, Kervezee, Samaraweera, Whiteley, Fell, Cox, Andrew, D’Oliveira, Morris, Shantry, Cessford.