MOEEN Ali has been named in England’s initial 30-man squad for the ICC World Cup which is being staged in Australia and New Zealand from February.

The inclusion of the Worcestershire all-rounder is no surprise given his fine form on the current tour of Sri Lanka.

He scored 19 and took 1-44 from 10 overs in England’s six-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka yesterday in the fourth one-day international.

Moeen has a total of one hundred and three fifties in just eight one-day interna - tional innings since first be - ing selected for last winter’s tour of the West Indies.

The England selectors are expected to announce a squad for the Tri-Series against Australia and India and a 15-man squad for the World Cup later this month, shortly after the current tour of Sri Lanka ends.

Kumar Sangakkara’s 86 was supported by 44 from Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews’ unbeaten 51 as the home side chased 266 with two balls to spare.

James Taylor, replacing banned England captain Alastair Cook, had earlier made 90.