WORCESTERSHIRE cricket legend Moeen Ali has decided to leave the club and join rivals Warwickshire following the conclusion of his contract this summer.

The club did what they could do keep the all-rounder but despite an attractive deal being put on the table, Moeen has opted for a return home to Warwickshire where it all began for him in his career.

The all-rounder joined the Pears in September of 2006 and went on to play nearly 350 games across all formats, scoring over 13,000 runs, taking over 300 wickets, winning three trophies in his time at the Club.

He made his last appearance in Worcestershire's final Vitality Blast fixture of the 2022 season at New Road against Notts Outlaws on 3 July.

35-year-old Moeen was a regular for Worcestershire across all formats until he made his England debut and became centrally contracted. England commitments, and the Covid pandemic, meant his availability was heavily limited for the Pears over the past three years. 

His first major trophy-winning success came in his second season with the county, playing his part in the Club's NatWest Pro40 title win.

Red-ball success followed immediately with promotion in 2008 and then bouncing straight back to Division One in 2010. Moeen was also part of the promotion-winning side in 2017.

Arguably though, Moeen's finest memory in Worcestershire colours came more recently, when leading the Rapids to a first Vitality Blast title in 2018. 

"I’m sad to be leaving Worcestershire after so long and have loved every minute of it," said Moeen.

"I’ve played with some amazing people and owe a huge thanks to the Club for bringing me here and giving me the platform to perform.

"I now feel it’s time to go back to Birmingham for the back end of my career, but I will always love Worcestershire.

"I hope I made the fans proud. Thank you."