FORMER Australia batsman Matthew Elliott believes Kabir Ali's recall to England's Test and one-day sides is long overdue.

Elliott, who played 21 Tests from 1996 to 2004, considers the Worcestershire seamer to be "one of the most under-rated bowlers in county cricket". The Aussie is convinced 26-year-old Kabir should be penciled in for England's tours to Sri Lanka and New Zealand this winter.

"Kabir Ali is one of the most under-rated bowlers in county cricket," Elliott, who played county cricket for Glamorgan and Yorkshire, said.

"He swings the ball, he has got genuine pace and he gets good players out.

"The criticism when he played for England was that he was a bit expensive at times but that's unfair.

"Kabir has only played 14 one-day internationals (ODIs) and one Test. In one-day cricket these days, batting sides are racking up big scores in excess of 300, so it's important to have wicket-takers in your team.

"England have struggled in one-day cricket in recent years because, at times, they have gone for bits and pieces cricketers who are probably not good enough to be in the side for their batting and bowling alone.

"The good thing about Kabir is that he doesn't try to contain batsmen.

"He is always looking for wickets so if he goes for a few runs, it doesn't matter, because the best way to win matches is by bowling sides out."

Kabir made his one-day international debut for England against Zimbabwe at Headingley in 2003 and was axed after conceding 72 runs off only six overs against Sri Lanka on the same ground last year.

But overall he has a respectable record of 20 ODI wickets at 34.10, leaving Elliott scratching his head to understand why he was left out of England's World Cup squad at the expense of what he terms "inferior bowlers".

Elliott added: "A lot of people forget that a young guy like Kabir can bring so much more to the England side than just his bowling.

"He is also a very handy lower-order batsman for Worcestershire so he has the ability to play more of an all-round role for England and I think he should be picked in the squad to play Sri Lanka and New Zealand this winter.

"I can't understand why he was replaced by inferior bowlers.

"It takes time for someone new to international cricket to understand their role in the team."