Moeen Ali is targeting a return to Test cricket this summer and wants to be a part of England’s tour to India next winter. Moeen has not played Test cricket since he was dropped during the Ashes series and lost his central contract. He turned down the chance to be a member of squads for the series in South Africa and Sri Lanka, citing he was not ready to cope with the pressures of Test cricket. Instead Moeen will play in the Pakistan Super League next month while England try to win in Sri Lanka. Without Moeen and Adil Rashid England’s spin bowling looks threadbare with the inexperience Dom Bess, Jack Leach, who has only recently recovered from sepsis, and the uncapped Matt Parkinson. “Yes, I’m looking to target this summer, for sure. I want to give myself a bit more time, go enjoy some T20 leagues,” said Moeen. “There is a T20 World Cup coming up and I want to give myself as much experience as I can. I’ve not actually played that much T20 international cricket. Test cricket is harder and want to make sure when I come back I’m ready. “Test cricket is not a place for tired minds or if you’re not fully into it. It is the hardest format by a mile and I want to make sure when I come back that I’m at my best. I want to be improved as a player, as a bowler and batter in particular. I still want to play and have ambitions to play Test cricket. I’ll do it when I feel like I’m 100 per cent ready and I know I’ve got to fight for my spot. I will do it.” Moeen was man of the match as England levelled the Twenty20 series against South Africa with a thrilling two run victory off the final ball in Durban on Friday night. He hit an 11-ball 39 to help England set 204 at Kingsmead, and performing well in white ball cricket will help reignite his passion for being part of the Test side. England have been patient in giving Moeen time to come to terms with playing Test cricket again with both Root and Ed Smith, the national selector, pledging their support in person and in public. England play six Tests this summer, three each against West Indies and Pakistan. The start of next winter is dominated by the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia before a post-Christmas tour to India where England will play five Tests. They lost 4-0 in India in 2016-17, a tour that ended with Alastair Cook’s resignation. "I do want to be part of that (India) for sure," said Moeen. “I want prove to myself and to other people that I am not a bad Test player."