CSK Mainstay To Lead Birmingham Bears in T20 Blast 2023

image-lfj58769Moeen Ali in action [Source: Twitter]

England all-rounder Moeen Ali, who re-joined Warwickshire after 16 years, will lead them in the upcoming T20 Blast 2023 season. Ali signed a three-year white deal with the county, which sees him turn up for the Birmingham Bears, having played for Worcestershire previously.

Ali, 36, left Warwickshire due to the lack of opportunities, and since then, has become England's most critical white-ball player, winning both the ICC World Cup and T20 World Cup in 2019 and 2022, respectively.

The all-rounder will miss the initial stages of the Blast, which clashes with the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he plays for the Chennai Super Kings franchise.

In a statement, Ali sounded excited about leading his hometown club.

Here's what Ali stated

"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."

Alex Davies will don the vice-captain's hat once Ali is available. Australia's Glenn Maxwell and Pakistan's Hasan Ali are their two overseas signings for the 2023 edition.

Head coach Mark Robinson expressed his excitement about working with Ali, who already has led England in one ODI and 11 T20Is.