MOEEN Ali believes that he can break into the England set-up — but as an all-rounder rather than an outright batsman.

The 23-year-old is starting to hit a rich vein of form with the bat for Worcestershire and played for England Lions last summer.

Yet, following that solitary outing against Bangladesh, Moeen has been overlooked by the selectors.

Since then, the left-handed batsman has been developing his spin bowling, while suffering a dip in form with the bat.

However, having hit a one-day career-best 136 against Sri Lanka last Wednesday, followed by a 32 and a 20-ball 40 in the County’s last two outings in the Friends Life t20, he appears to be rediscovering his batting form.

Former England bowler Robert Croft also backed Moeen to become a top-class spinner when the Glamorgan veteran was commentating on the Derbyshire Falcons match for Sky Sports earlier in the month.

The ex-Warwickshire youngster, who is the third most economical bowler in this season’s t20, feels that it will be his spin that will help him return to the national fold.

“I think I can become a genuine all-rounder,” he said.

“It is just learning my trade. You get different batters playing you differently, especially being an off-spinner.

“I feel like I’ve bowled well so far this year, it’s a case of getting a few dots and making the batter do something stupid.

“If I do get the chance to play for England I think it will be as an all-rounder — a batter who is going to be the second spinner.”

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes also believes that Moeen has the potential to return to the England set-up.

The New Road chief has great faith in the youngster and handed him the captaincy during Daryl Mitchell’s time on the treatment table with a side-strain earlier in the campaign.

Rhodes also relied on Moeen’s spin bowling at the start of the campaign before the arrival of Shakib Al Hasan and Saeed Ajmal.

“Moeen has definitely got it in him to be a future England player,” Rhodes said.

“If you get enough runs, and do it consistently, you’ll be knocking on the door and Moeen has got the ability to do so.”

Following his stunning century against Sri Lanka, which featured one huge six that cleared the Basil D’Oliveira Stand, Rhodes was pleased to see that Moeen, who is now in his seventh season as a professional cricketer, is starting to overcome his difficult start to the season.

“Moeen has got class,” Rhodes said.

“It always doesn’t happen overnight and Moeen has had some tough times.

“But he has also played some lovely innings for us and the one against Sri Lanka was one of those.

“He hit the ball very cleanly and the one shot that went over the D’Oliveira Stand was a huge hit — that will give him confidence.”