Moeen Ali to captain Birmingham Phoenix in Hundred final

Moeen Ali, who earlier today was named in England’s squad for the third Test against India, will be temporarily released by the ECB to play in the final of the inaugural edition of The Hundred. Ali will captain Birmingham Phoenix in the final at Lord’s on Saturday after the side booked their place in the Grand Finale via a stunning victory over the Northern Superchargers on Tuesday, August 17. 

Phoenix topped the group stages of The Hundred, and were led by the explosive Liam Livingstone in the latter half of the group stages, after incumbent skipper Ali was asked to report to England duty for the second Test at Lord’s.

"I've loved every minute of The Hundred and captaining Birmingham Phoenix, as my home team in the tournament, has been an honour," ESPNCricinfo reported Ali as saying.

"Livi has done a fantastic job in leading from the front in the last two games and in getting us over the line to secure our place at Lord's. I can't wait to join back up with the squad and pushing us forward, hopefully to a first title."

Ali will not be the only England player released, as Craig Overton, too, will be featuring in the knockout stages of The Hundred. Overton will be representing Southern Brave in the Eliminator at The Oval on Friday, and, like Ali, will feature in the final should his side qualify.

Phoenix and Brave will, however, not have the services of Finn Allen and Colin de Grandhomme, both of whom are heading to Bangladesh to represent New Zealand. While Phoenix have called up Durham’s David Bedingham as Allen’s replacement, the explosive Tim David will be taking the spot of de Grandhomme. David has been in scintillating form for Surrey in the Royal London Cup, having smashed 340 runs in 10 innings at a remarkable strike rate of 150.44.