London - England all-rounder Moeen Ali has signed a fresh
five-year contract with newly promoted Worcestershire, the club announced on
Wednesday.
The 30-year-old, set to jet out to Australia ahead of the
Ashes series on Saturday, joined the county from neighbouring Warwickshire in
2006.
"It's happy days," said Ali, whose deal keeps him
at New Road until the end of the 2022 campaign. "To commit my future and
probably the rest of my career to Worcestershire is a fantastic feeling."
Ali, who had one year remaining on his current deal, is one
of England's key players, meaning he played little for Worcestershire this
season as a result.
He only made three county championship appearances in
Worcestershire's promotion campaign and participated in six one-day matches.
But director of cricket Steve Rhodes said the left-handed
batsman and off-spinner was a central figure for the county, who will play in
division one of the championship next year after being crowned division two
winners.
"Moeen is our England player and it's important for us
to have an England player," said Rhodes. "It's also important for our
dressing room, our players, our staff and our members and supporters and
everyone involved at the club.
"It sends a message to other clubs that our better
players don't feel the need to be elsewhere.
"He is in such a rich vein of form internationally and
on the back of a wonderful season, he is turning himself into one of the best
all-rounders in the world in international cricket."