Moeen Ali’s return to the Test fold has been hailed as good news by England’s national selector, Ed Smith, but the question now is whether the spin-bowling all-rounder will be fast-tracked into the side to face West Indies next month. Moeen, who opted out of the longer format over the winter following five unbroken years on the international treadmill, has been included in a 30-man group that will travel to the Ageas Bowl next week to begin preparations for the first Test on 8 July. But the 32-year-old’s presence in this group - one that includes eight uncapped players but will be whittled down further - also sums up the balance that Smith and Co are trying to strike between picking the best side for the job at hand and planning for the future. He may have been dropped after a poor first Ashes Test last summer but with 60 caps and 181 wickets, Moeen is clearly England’s most seasoned spinner. The two venues for this series (Old Trafford follows Southampton) are his most potent by way of bowling average too, while he was England’s leading wicket-taker when the two sides last met. But having suffered a chastening tour of Australia in 2016/17, and with England openly building towards their next trip there, now may be the time to invest in the incumbent, Dom Bess, following his encouraging performances during the 3-1 win in South Africa. Jack Leach, cleared to be part of England’s biosecure bubble during this Covid-19-affected summer despite his battle with Crohn’s disease, is another in contention, while the uncapped Amar Virdi and Matt Parkinson have been included. Things will become clearer once two England XIs play a three-day warm-up match from 1 July and an official squad for the series is named. Smith, while not willing to be drawn on the debate this far out, is simply pleased to have Moeen back as an option. He said: “It’s good news because he’s a valued and trusted player across formats and a big part of England cricket full stop. As a selector, we always want the most amount of talent to pick from so we’re pleased Moeen is available again.” Elsewhere England have called on Ollie Robinson, Dan Lawrence and James Bracey from February’s successful Lions tour of Australia. Though it is hard to see any breaking into the final Test team so soon, Smith said he was “excited” about the depth of talent and told them to embrace a chance to “rub shoulders with the best in the country”. There is an opportunity for three county head coaches too, with Glenn Chapple (Lancashire), Matt Walker (Kent) and Richard Dawson (Gloucestershire) seconded to the set-up. Chris Read, the former Nottinghamshire captain, is also down to work with the four wicketkeepers in Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes and Bracey. All players and support staff will be subject to a rigorous Covid-19 testing regime that includes daily temperature checks and thermal screening. The Ageas Bowl, with its on-site Hilton hotel, will also be divided into zones to reduce crossover with staff and have signposted one-way systems for getting around on foot. Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced a further £35.7m financial support package for the 18 first-class counties and the recreational game on top of the £61m the governing announced back in March.