Moeen Ali’s Century Propels Birmingham Bears to Victory and Top Spot

Birmingham Bears secured the top position in the Vitality Blast North Group with a convincing 72-run win over Leicestershire Foxes at a scorching Edgbaston. This victory ensured the Bears a home quarter-final against Gloucestershire, while the Foxes missed out on the final qualifying spot on the last day.

Moeen Ali's brilliant third T20 century, scoring 103 off 59 balls, including nine sixes and seven fours, helped the Bears reach 194 for 5. Despite an initial surge to 99 without loss in the ninth over, the Foxes clawed back with impressive bowling from Scott Currie (2 for 26) and Josh Hull (2 for 34), restricting further damage.

Leicestershire's response faltered as they were bowled out for 122 in 16.4 overs. Only Lewis Goldsworthy showed some resistance, while Craig Miles (2 for 12) and Danny Briggs (3 for 30) dismantled the batting lineup. Briggs’ season tally reached 27 wickets at an average of 12.81.

Choosing to bat first, the Bears quickly amassed 69 without loss in the initial six overs. Moeen Ali showcased his prowess, pulling the last two balls of the powerplay for sixes off James Neesham and reaching his half-century in 28 balls. He celebrated by hitting consecutive sixes off Goldsworthy. The opening partnership of 99 in 53 balls ended when Alex Davies was caught by Ben Mike at long-on off Rehan Ahmed.

The Foxes mounted a spirited comeback with tight bowling from Hull, Currie, and Louis Kimber, conceding just 11 runs in three overs and taking key wickets. Dan Mousley was lbw to a Hull yorker, and Chris Benjamin was caught at deep mid-wicket off Currie.

Moeen reignited the innings with two sixes off Rehan and narrowly missed a stumping on 92, eventually reaching his century in 54 balls. However, the Foxes' bowlers fought back as Mike gave away just four runs in the 18th over, and Moeen was caught by Hull in the last over. After scoring 109 runs in the first ten overs, the Bears added 85 in the last ten.

Leicestershire’s chase was derailed early with quick wickets. Sol Budinger edged a shot off Zak Foulkes, and Miles dismissed Rishi Patel and Rehan Ahmed with his third and sixth balls, respectively. Peter Handscomb’s return catch to Briggs saw the top four batsmen dismissed for single figures.

Briggs, with help from Dan Mousley, removed Neesham, and Ed Barnard's impressive catch sent Kimber back to the pavilion off Jake Lintott. Briggs then bowled Goldsworthy to claim his 281st T20 wicket. The Bears cruised into the knockouts, while the Foxes' season ended in disappointment.

Brief Scores:

- Birmingham Bears: 194 for 5 (Moeen Ali 103, James Vince 41, Tom Prest 41)

- Leicestershire: 122 (Lewis Goldsworthy 35, Danny Briggs 3-30, Jacob Bethell 2-5, Craig Miles 2-12)

Birmingham Bears won by 72 runs.