Moeen Ali: Warwickshire re-sign English all-rounder Worcestershire on white ball deal

Birmingham-born Moeen, 35, who was 19 when he left the Bears in 2006, led Worcestershire to victory in the T20 Blast at Edgbaston in 2018.

He had also been linked with a move to Yorkshire, as well as Warwickshire.

But he has turned down "a very interesting long contract" in Worcester to sign a three-year deal with the white-ball Bears.

Negotiations with Moeen, who was on a five-year one-year contract at New Road, had continued over the weekend until Monday. But, although Yorkshire also made an offer, it ended by being a straightforward choice between staying in New Road or returning to his hometown of Birmingham.

"I want to be part of a team that is challenging and successful," Moeen said during one of his recent appearances on BBC Test Match Special.

Moeen has played in just seven of Worcestershire's 14 T20 Blast group games this season, scoring just 105 points and no hasn't played in a County Championship game since September 2019 or a List A game for the Pears since June 2018.

There is also a clause in his new contract that would make him available for red ball cricket for the Bears on a pay-as-you-go basis.

It follows Ed Barnard as Warwickshire's second signing from their longtime Midlands rivals over the past seven days.

"Unfinished business at the Bears"< p class="" data-reactid=".b57ltonkpe.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-12">"I'm thrilled to be home to Edgb aston,” Moeen said. “I was born and j grew up a few miles away. When the opportunity presented itself, it was a decision I couldn't say no to.

"I believe I have some business to take care of at the Bears. I'm incredibly excited to be back, playing in front of the best atmosphere in cricket in the world.

" I'm sad to be leaving Worcestershire after so long and I've loved every minute of it. I've played with some amazing people and I owe the club a huge thank you for bringing me here and giving me the platform to play.

Bears Director of Cricket Paul Farbrace added: "Mo is a huge signing for Warwickshire and a real statement of intent for our ambitions. who I've known for many years and he's a leader on and off the pitch."

Top Class Matches114 matches7,368 runs (average 41.16)