Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Moeen Ali will be involved in a Roses match for the first time tomorrow evening, in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Moeen Ali says the prospect of playing Roses cricket was a part of his decision-making with regards to joining Yorkshire this winter.
England legend Moeen will get his first taste of the Yorkshire versus Lancashire rivalry on Friday evening when the two meet at Headingley in the first of two Vitality Blast matches across the next six weeks.
A bumper crowd will be in attendance for a 7pm start which will pit many a star name against each other, with the White Rose aiming for their fourth win in five at the start of the North Group.
All-rounder Moeen and co sit top of the standings ahead of a Red Rose side whose mixed start has seen them win one and lose two.
“I can’t wait,” said the 38-year-old, a veteran of 434 career T20 appearances – a Blast winner with Worcestershire, a T20 World Cup winner with England.
“Honestly, that’s the one fixture I’ve been really looking forward to.
“I’ve watched it obviously many times on TV. I’ve heard a lot about it, and it’s something I’ve always been interested in. In the England changing room, everyone used to talk about the Roses game.
“It’s a big game – probably the biggest in the country – with two massive clubs and the history of the White Rose and the Red Rose.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Moeen Ali says he is loving life at Headingley.
Moeen’s previous taste of a Blast derby came with Warwickshire and Worcestershire. He sat on both sides of that fence, and captained the Pears to the title in 2018. Now, he is aiming to help Yorkshire achieve the same goal.
“Worcestershire and Warwickshire were big games,” he continued.
“Over the years, they have been very one-sided a lot of the time, but with the amount of England players that play for Lancashire and Yorkshire as well, along with the history, that’s obviously always a bigger game.
“It’s the kind of game that you want to do well in because hopefully people talk about your performances, which is what you want.
“I remember that great partnership between Luxy and Jonny last year, which everyone was talking about. So I’m really looking forward to being a part of it all.”
Ahead of the Blast starting last month, Yorkshire captain Jonny Bairstow spoke of his admiration for Moeen and about the special memories they had shared with England.
“Obviously, Jonny was a big pull for me,” said the man who was capped 298 times across all formats by England between early-2014 and mid-2024.
“We have a great relationship, we’ve played a lot together and were good friends when I played for England. I was speaking to other counties as well. But when Jonny called, I was pretty set on coming to Yorkshire.
Picture by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images. Jonny Bairstow celebrates his Roses century at Emirates Old Trafford last July. Bairstow was a big factor in Moeen Ali’s decision to join Yorkshire this summer.
“When I played for England, I always enjoyed playing here at Headingley, so it’s been very enjoyable. I’ve absolutely loved the four games I’ve played so far. Honestly, they’ve looked after me really well. Everyone has been great.”
Moeen has started nicely for leaders Yorkshire, helping them win the first three games of a T20 season for the first time ever. Unfortunately, they were unable to make that four on Sunday when Gloucestershire posted 217-6 at defended it comfortably at Headingley, despite Adam Lyth’s brilliant 97.
Moeen has taken four wickets with his off-spin across the four matches and hit a fine 51 in last Sunday’s thrilling home win against Derbyshire.
He continued: “We’re still in a very good position. I do say it’s good to lose a game here and there in a competition. Obviously not too many, but just to keep you a bit humble and keep you in check as a side.
“Hopefully, it was a bit of a blip and we can go on to play some more good cricket.
“I genuinely feel that we have a good blend of really good young players, good experienced players and two good overseas all-rounders.
“I think the youngsters, hopefully, will learn from the senior players, but they’ve been outstanding anyway in the first four games, which is very exciting.
Picture by Naomi Baker/Getty Images. Chris Green is one of two overseas Australians at Lancashire’s disposal, alongside Ben McDermott, who won the Blast with Hampshire in 2022. McDermott and Hampshire actually beat Lancashire in the final that day. The Red Rose had beaten Yorkshire in the morning semi-final at Edgbaston.
“If there’s anything I can pass on to the spinners, for example, then hopefully that makes a difference to them because Headingley is a difficult place to bowl spin, I’ve always thought that.
“You just have to try and stay as brave as you can and not go on the back foot when people are coming after you, because everyone gets hit at some point. So, at least get hit off your best ball.”
Moeen, still a regular on the franchise circuit, had actually retired from playing county cricket after last year’s Blast with Warwickshire before the pull of Yorkshire helped convince him to u-turn.
He has signed a one-year deal with an option to extend into 2027 at Headingley, and he has by no means ruled out staying longer.
He added: “I feel like I’m playing well. Even in the other leagues, I feel I’ve been playing well. I want to play for two years at least. If I’m still playing well after that, then we’ll see.”
Last year’s beaten semi-finalists Lancashire also lost their last game, against Leicestershire at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday.
They are coached by Steven Croft, their former captain who lifted this title in 2015. He was in interim charge for last season’s Blast before taking the role on full-time in the winter.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Yorkshire’s overseas quick Hassan Ali is a former Lancashire player. He played Championship cricket for them in 2022.
Opening batter Keaton Jennings is their T20 captain, with Sir James Anderson leading the side in Championship cricket. Anderson has missed the last two Blast games through injury.
While Yorkshire have Pakistani duo Hassan Ali and Faheem Ashraf as their two overseas players, Lancashire have Australians Chris Green and Ben McDermott at their disposal.
Liam Livingstone played against Leicestershire last week having returned from IPL duty. Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Luke Wood are expected to follow. Whether they are involved tomorrow remains to be seen.
These two sides shared victories in last season’s Blast, both in mid-July. Yorkshire won at Emirates Old Trafford before Lancashire won at Headingley.
This is part of a T20 double header day with Yorkshire’s women, who get proceedings started by facing Durham from 3pm.
