KADEER Ali has flown out with the England squad to South Africa for the 2024 ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Worcestershire’s assistant head coach, 40, will continue in the role of batting coach he operated in for trips to Australia last winter and India last month.

Kadeer will be part of a staff also including boss Michael Yardy, Paul Franks and Richard Halsall.

Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson said: “I’m really pleased for Kads.

"It is something he did last year, they loved having him around and I can never speak highly enough of Kads.

“I am very lucky to have him as part of the support staff and, as assistant head coach, he just covers so many bases.

“It was a no-brainer for them to ask him back again and it just shows how much of an influence he had in his first winter with them.

“For all of the players and coaches, it is always a great opportunity to go away and experience different environments.

“He has got great staff around him in Michael, Paul and Richard and he has already come back with loads of ideas of how different people operate.

“Kaddy benefits from it hugely and we benefit hugely from it as well as part of Kaddy’s journey.”

England’s opening group fixture is on Saturday, January 20 against Scotland at the JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom.

They will also play South Africa on Tuesday, January 23 and West Indies on Friday, January 26 at the same venue.

The final is on Sunday, February 11 at Willowmoore Park, Benoni.

Meanwhile, Worcestershire Rapids' 2024 Vitality Blast signing Usama Mir has ended his successful spell in the Big Bash League to prepare for Pakistan’s T20I Series in New Zealand later this month.

The leg-spinner helped Melbourne Stars into a top-four spot in the BBL during his five appearances in the tournament.

He picked up five wickets and was Stars' most economical bowler.

Now Usama is focused on the five T20I matches against the Black Caps, beginning with the Friday, January 12 fixture in Auckland.

The 28-year-old has played in 12 ODIs for his country but has yet to make his T20I debut.

He will face Rapids team-mate of last summer Mitchell Santner who is part of the New Zealand squad.

Usama returns to New Road this summer after topping the batting and bowling averages for Rapids during the 2023 Blast.