ENGLAND international Moeen Ali has been backed to return to form with the bat by Worcestershire head coach Kevin Sharp.

All-rounder Moeen heads to former club and derby rivals Warwickshire today (2pm) on the back of a career-best List A return of four wickets for 33 with the ball against Notts Outlaws.

And Sharp believes the 30-year-old will soon be making a big impact in the other part of his game as he gears up for England’s one-day international (ODI) against Scotland and the five-match ODI series versus Australia later in the month.

“Mo is a dangerous player but I think it is difficult for him at the moment because he has not really had much of a bat these past few months,” said Sharp.

“He has been in the IPL and played only a handful of games. He had a difficult winter and has not spent masses of time at the crease.

“He got an absolute jaffer of a delivery on Sunday from Ben Sanderson, a brilliant ball, and that’s cricket, isn’t it? Sometimes when you are searching a little bit, these things happen.

“But we know he is a class player and it will only be a matter of a short period of time before he is back, for sure.

“Look at his stats, that’s all you have to do.”

Moeen has 50 Test, 73 ODI and 22 T20Is under his belt for England and Sharp believes team-mate Joe Clarke is also destined for international honours.

Clarke scored 122 in the victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks at New Road on Sunday, further highlighting his credentials.

Sharp said: “I am sure Joe will play for England, that’s what he wants to do. He is a class player and proves that regularly.

“All he has to do is keep scoring runs. If he keeps on like that then he won’t be too far away from international selection.

“He is still learning and relatively young but he is a learner and sometimes if you don’t quite get it right, that can be a good thing.

“You sometimes learn more when you don’t get it quite right and think I’ll get it right next time.”

Meanwhile, Clarke is relishing being a part of another Edgbaston showdown.

“Games like Thursday are what you play for, that chance to finish top of the group against the rivals in a derby is brilliant," he said.

“You want to play in games like that and to come out on top and win the group would be really special.

“There has always been that little bit extra on it. A day-night game live on TV, it will be a special day.

“Hopefully we will come out on top but we have plenty of respect for Warwickshire.”