Moeen Ali to Lead Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast 2023

England all-rounder Moeen Ali has been appointed as the captain of the Birmingham Bears for the forthcoming T20 Blast 2023. Moeen will succeed Carlos Brathwaite, who led the Warwickshire-based team in the 2022 season. The Warwickshire County Cricket Club on March 21, Tuesday confirmed that the club has positioned the seasoned all-rounder at the top to lead their T20 team.

Moeen’s association with the club is long one. He started his professional career at Warwickshire as a 15-year-old having developed through the Academy and Second XI ranks. England’s premier all-rounder is back with the Bears after spending the past 16 years with Worcestershire. He had a successful stint with Worcestershire, where he led the Worcestershire Rapids to a title win in 2018.

The newly appointed skipper of Birmingham Bears will be unavailable for the start of the T20 Blast 2023 due to his Indian Premier League commitments with Chennai Super Kings. One of CSK’s most valuable overseas recruits, Moeen is due to play for the four-time IPL winners in this year’s IPL. It is expected that Moeen will be available for the whole season. Until Moeen joins the Bears camp, wicket-keeper batter, and opener Alex Davies will act as the stand-in captain of the team.

Moeen is Elated to Lead His Hometown Club

“I’m really grateful to be given the opportunity to captain my hometown club. I grew up just a short walk from Edgbaston, always dreamed of playing at this great stadium when I was a child, and now to be made captain is something special. I’ve had several proud moments in my cricket career but becoming Bears captain having returned to Edgbaston after 16 years is without doubt one of highlights,” said Moeen Ali on his appointment.

“Mo has led teams in many franchise leagues around the world and I know how excited he is to be a Bear and lead us at Edgbaston. We’re all excited to see him and we’re really looking forward to welcoming him into the changing room,” said head coach Mark Robinson.

Retired from Test cricket, Moeen is still a part of England’s white-ball plans. Having played 342 T20 matches in his career, England’s ODI vice-captain has scored 6,755 runs in 342 T20 matches, taking 222 wickets. Meanwhile, the Club has also confirmed that all-rounder Will Rhodes will continue to lead Warwickshire in this year’s County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup. Alex Davies will assist Rhodes as Vice Captain of the team.