WORCESTERSHIRE Rapids have received a NatWest T20 Blast boost with Moeen Ali made available to play by England in Friday’s clash with Northamptonshire at Northampton (6.30pm).

The all-rounder has been released from his international commitments to play against the Steelbacks.

He joins Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes and Jake Ball in being given permission by the ECB to feature in the T20 Blast this week.

Moeen has already featured in three Specsavers County Championship matches this summer against Gloucestershire, Essex and Glamorgan.

The 28-year-old was able to participate in seven T20 Blast matches for Rapids last summer.

He registered two half-centuries in the competition against Northants (90) at Wantage Road and Derbyshire (65) at New Road.

The County first host Yorkshire in the T20 on Thursday (5.30pm).