KABIR Ali has tipped his cousin Moeen Ali to play for England after being joined by him at Worcestershire on a three-year contract.

Moeen has ended his association with Warwickshire after rejecting a new two-year deal to make the short trip down the M5 to New Road with a contract which will keep him with the Pears until the end of the 2009 campaign.

He is the third member of the Ali family to play for Worcestershire, with Kadeer Ali having spent several seasons at the county before moving to Gloucestershire three years ago.

But Kabir has no doubts that England Under-19 player Moeen is the best of the trio and will play for his country at senior level sooner rather than later.

Kabir said: "If I could put money on anybody to play for England, it would be Moeen. I think he could do it in the next two or three years.

"In the Ali family he is right at the top. We have always thought that. When he was 14-15, we knew he would be the best of the bunch. Sometimes even I bowl at him and think where do I put the ball to this kid?' "He is one of those guys who can easily destroy bowlers and he is still only 19."

Meanwhile, current Worcestershire opener Lou Vincent has indicated he would like to return for a further stint of county cricket.

The New Zealand player would be happy to play at New Road for a second season although Aussie Phil Jaques is contracted to Worcestershire for the 2007 campaign.

But circumstances may alter if Jaques has a successful winter for his country and he is currently playing in the triangular tournament in Malaysia.

Vincent has played a major role in Worcestershire gaining promotion in the Pro40 League and also in their bid to regain top-flight status in the Liverpool Victoria County Championship.

Vincent said: "At this stage it's all tied up. Phil is contracted to come back next season but I'll certainly wait and see what the winter brings.

"I've enjoyed it so much at Worcester and in the last five or six years of my career it would be great to come over to England and play more county cricket if the opportunity arises."