IT will be a proud day for Moeen Ali and Worcestershire when he wins his 100th one-day international cap for England.

The all-rounder clocked up appearance number 98 in this week’s defeat to Pakistan at Trent Bridge in the ICC World Cup.

If all goes to plan, he is scheduled to reach three figures against West Indies at Southampton on Friday next week.

It was in the Caribbean that Moeen made his international breakthrough in an ODI in 2014 when his opening partner was Michael Lumb and he launched himself with scores of 44, 10 and 55.

Since then he has been a regular for his country in all formats of the game and an integral part of the side who have become number one in the world in white-ball cricket.

But for many years the bulk of his batting was done alongside his Blackfinch New Road team-mate Daryl Mitchell who is still a key component of the County side.

The PCA’s current chairman said: “It will be a proud day for Mo and the club when he gets to 100 caps.

“He has been fantastic for England. His performances show that and he has been a regular in all forms for a number of years now.

“He is a great ambassador for us and a credit to the club and himself.

“Mo is a quality cricketer, we all know that, and having two strings to his bow helps.

“When he is not scoring runs, he is taking wickets and vice versa.

“That all-rounder capability helps and one skill takes the pressure off the other and he has generally performed in one or the other — if not both.”

It was after Moeen’s move from Warwickshire nearly a decade-and-a-half ago that he and Mitchell first joined forces.

Mitchell said: “Myself and Mo go way back. We actually played quite a lot in the second team together during 2006 and a little bit of 2007.

“We were in the one-day team of 2007 that won the Pro40 League and we both grew into our roles in the first team at similar times and played a lot of cricket together before he got into the international scene.

“He is a joy to play with and bat with and we have certainly put some big partnerships together — in red-ball and white-ball cricket. A top, top man and a top, top cricketer.

”We almost don’t have to call when running between the wickets we know each other’s games inside out.”

Mitchell says Moeen’s contribution as Worcestershire’s captain when achieving Vitality Blast glory last summer should not be underestimated.

He said: “Mo at finals day was brilliant.

“There were 25,000 people there and he was the coolest, calmest person on the ground whether it be players, support staff or even fans in the crowd.

“He has the same influence on me when we bat together. He is always relaxed.

“Mo came back and played quite a bit for us last year and was brilliant in the red-ball game and his leadership and captaincy in T20 last year was phenomenal and certainly some of the best captaincy I played under.”

After a 10-day break from action, Worcestershire take on Lancashire at Blackfinch Road from Monday in Specsavers County Championship Division Two.

They will be looking for quick revenge after losing by six wickets at Emirates Old Trafford in a low-scoring game two weeks ago.

All-rounder Wayne Parnell scored 63 and took five wickets in Lancashire’s first innings in that game before suffering a hamstring injury but he has been declared fit.

Meanwhile, Worcestershire seconds switch to T20 action on Thursday when they take on local rivals Warwickshire in a double-header at Stourport.

They are still in contention to qualify for the knockout stages of the 50-over Trophy and trying to at least emulate last season’s semi-final spot.

But the focus turns to the shorter format of the game with the matches at Stourport getting under way at 11.30am and 3pm respectively.

Worcestershire finished ninth out of 10 teams in the T20 North Group last summer.

They won three of their 12 matches — against Northamptonshire at Blackfinch New Road, MCC Young Cricketers at Wolverhampton and Yorkshire at Marske-by-the-Sea.

This year they will play four of their 12 games against Nottinghamshire — two at Blackfinch New Road and two at Grantham.

A strong Worcestershire XI will take on Stourbridge at Amblecote in a T20 match under floodlights in aid of Jack Shantry’s testimonial year on Friday (6pm).

Club captain Joe Leach, Charlie Morris, Ed Barnard, Tom Fell, Josh Dell, Adam Finch and Alex Milton have been included in the County line-up.

The gates will be open at 5pm with admission £5 per person and a family ticket costing £12.

Also included is an open bar, real ale, street food and a raffle in aid of former County paceman Shantry’s testimonial year.

For further details or to purchase tickets, email stourbridge1842@gmail.com or contact John Woodcock on 07973 507470.

Worcestershire XI: Leach, Morris, Barnard, Dell, Fell, Finch, A Milton, I Milton, Shantry, Banks, auction winner.