LIAM Plunkett always had faith in Moeen Ali’s ability with both bat and ball and is confident England are now reaping the rewards of the in-form all rounder.

Worcestershire's Ali was far from his best during the winter tours of Australia and New Zealand but following a positive stint in the IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore, has found the himself in the wickets once again.

The 31-year-old hit 46 in defeat to Scotland before collecting 12 wickets in a 5-0 series whitewash of Australia including 4-46 in the final ODI at Old Trafford.

And Plunkett is delighted to see Ali in fine fettle ahead of the Royal London One-Day International Series with India.

“You felt for him because he struggled a little bit (in the winter) but he’s a good player and was always going to come good,” said Plunkett, speaking at a private bowling session to celebrate unconventional greatness in cricket with Royal London.

“I think that form in the IPL came at a great time for Moeen, he came back and got a hundred for Worcestershire and obviously with bat and ball he’s been great for England and is a great allrounder.

“He’s been doing a great job, even in the first ten (overs) he’s been coming on, especially against the left handers, and keeping it tight and picking up wickets.

“Obviously Mo is getting better and better, he has that role of being the first spinner for England in Tests and he’s come in now and shown how valuable he is to the squad.”

It’s less than a year before the start of the 2019 World Cup in England and the hosts-to-be have been in searing form after demolishing Australia.

They might be top of the ODI world rankings but Plunkett is far from content sitting back, insisting England are worked incredibly hard to prolong their recent dominance of white-ball cricket.

He said: “I think we have set the standard recently in one-day cricket in how good we can be, but as I said, everyone is trying to get better.

“I think we have to keep improving and going the way we are. Everyone is willing to improve and if you keep practicing right and willing to improve then you will.

“As a team we can keep going up and up, there’s not one specific thing we have to get better at, as a whole unit whether batting, fielding or bowling, we can keep getting better.

“For me, I would like to work more on my death bowling to be a more complete bowler.”

Royal London, proud sponsors of one-day cricket, is celebrating unconventional greatness in the game by championing the independent spirit of players and fans.