We need to move on from signing an overseas player just for the sake of signing an overseas player.

Unless the player signed makes the squad significantly better, the money would be better spent on helping the development of our young players and our coaches.

Highveld, I said that ten years ago. The overseas signing has to put bums on seats or improve the team. There have not been many that have met that criteria.

Yes, you should only really sign an overseas pro for the T20 if it makes any Bears fan look at the screen/paper/radio when the announcement comes, with a huge smile on their face. If you have to say "Who?" then it is probably a bad signing.

As predicted, a three-year white ball contract with "pay-as-you-play" for red ball:
https://edgbaston.com/news/warwickshire-sign-moeen-ali-on-three-year-contract/

Good to see we've given a chance to a Brummie lad who came through our acedemy. Since the initial lead and since Sibley has decided to leave Inthink it's actually the red ball (pay-per-play) I'm interested in. Yates presumably moves to open, after he gets over his sophomoric blues this year, great. We need a three which Mo has done for donkeys in CC. For the Blast next year where does he bat? Open in place of Stirling?

Moeen to captain the Bears in the Blast:
https://edgbaston.com/news/moeen-ali-to-lead-bears-in-2023-vitality-blast-campaign/
PS - note that, for the first time in about a year, the word "Birmingham" re-appears before "Bears".

Moeen Ali is a good T20 captain with vast experience.

Not sure on Alex Davies as vice captain...its not that long ago he'd been found out for a series of offensive/racist tweets, is this really the sort of character we want in a leadership role even if the tweets are from years ago?

Am I overreacting?

Are we finally to see Moeen play in the T20. Surely he must be back from the IPL?

I don't follow IPL at all. But from the edges of my news radar I understand that the final took two days and finished mega late India time on Monday? So I think with the flight home and all that the earliest we'll see him is next week. While we're winning I'm relaxed about giving him recovery time.

With the success the team is having should he just walk in to the side? I am a believer in the saying if it ain't broke don't fix it!!

CSK won of course (finished Sunday nigh / Monday morning), but Moeen didn't bat or bowl in the final, but as someone said would you bring him straight back in?

Like I say, I'm relaxed about his recovery time. I think ultimately he needs to play as an experienced international but give Yates and Mousley, who I assume one of which will be replaced by Moeen, a bit more time to make a case for who stays.

Coop wrote:

CSK won of course (finished Sunday nigh / Monday morning), but Moeen didn't bat or bowl in the final, but as someone said would you bring him straight back in?

He’s in the squad named for Derbyshire. So I think we’re going to find out very soon.

I’ve been wondering if perhaps if it might be Lintott who unluckily misses out. The modern way seems to be preferring all rounders. Surrey being an excellent example. Briggs, Maxwell, Mousley, Ali and Yates means more than enough spin options.

Would have thought he comes in for Barnard?

Guess a lot will depend on the pitch. Mo for Brookes or Barnard also a good option. Think he will play as then the batting is even stronger and we will simply outscore most teams.

I could definitely see Barnard losing out but I also think he has added value because he’s a third seamer.
Definitely depends on the pitch, but only 2 seamers is a bit light for me. Could see Barnard going when Hassan Ali is fit again.

We will find out tomorrow, but the depth is very impressive. Considering Rhodes is scoring hundreds in the 2’s and can’t get close. Bethell can’t get in. Burgess is doing very well on loan at Sussex.
No Hassan Ali, no Norwell, no OHD, no Woakes for various reasons.

Jack Leach has been ruled out of the Ashes with a stress fracture of the back. Could England come calling for Mo? Would be a big call but they'll be desperate with it starting imminently.

That's a blow for England and also, of course, for Jack Leach.
No replacement announced yet.
Danny Briggs? Unlikely; but you never know.

There are worse options. But whoever they pick is going to be targetted immediately.

Well if England call up Moeen we can get back to picking our unbeaten team!