Moeen Ali was left out of the England squad for the second Ashes Test against Australia and is now "recharging" rather than immediately returning to action with Worcestershire. (Cricket News)
However, captain Joe Root insists the all-rounder will be back in an England shirt soon enough.
Also Read: Ashes 2019, 2nd Test Preview
Moeen endured a tough start to the Ashes series as he took three wickets for 172 runs while scoring just four with the bat in a 251-run England defeat at Edgbaston.
And just as at the Cricket World Cup, where Moeen missed the final four matches – all wins – in England's triumph, he has been dropped from the team.
Rather than return to play for his county, though, Worcestershire confirmed on Tuesday that Moeen will first take some time out.
The county side's coach Alex Gidman said: "Mo is spending a little time away from the middle, recharging his batteries and putting in some quality practice time, which he feels he needs and we completely respect.
"He has had an intense schedule of international cricket involving the ICC World Cup and the start of the Ashes.
"Mo loves playing for Worcestershire and he gives a lift to everyone in the dressing room when he comes back and plays for us.
"We saw at Trent Bridge [in the Vitality Blast win over Notts Outlaws last month] what he gives to us and we look forward to when he returns soon."
England skipper Root added in a news conference: "I spent a good while chatting to Mo, making sure he understood where we're at in terms of getting him back to his best.
"[England want him to] go and play some county cricket and performing well for Worcester, as he proved last time around, coming into the India series and having a massive influence on it.
"There's no reason why he can't do the same again and force his way back into the squad. He's been a big part of English cricket. He's done some fantastic things in a Test shirt and it's certainly not the last we'll see of him.
"He's a fine cricketer, he's a great man and he gives so much to this team. I'm sure it won't be long before you see him back involved."
