Not much evidence of any bowlers who could step up to first team action here:
https://somersetcountycc.co.uk/news/club-news/second-xi-t20-warwickshire-v-somerset/

The averages make slightly gruesome reading unless your name is Sam Hain; and they tell their own story:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/averages-batting-bowling-by-team/vitality-blast-2023-15160?team=1479

Any decision would have been a gamble but I agree that this is probably the least worst option.
As for Moeen being overrated, he does have some pretty good stats to back up his reputation - almost 30,000 runs and over 1,000 wickets in all formats.

The Club say:

"Ali is still expected to captain the Bears in Vitality Blast action tonight (7 June) at home to the Derbyshire Falcons and is also available for Friday night’s home clash with Northants Steelbacks."

"Is also available" suggests that it isn't certain he will captain and maybe won't play on Friday.

However much we may (occasionally) moan about the Bears, at least we're not Yorkshire.

Moeen gets the call:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/65816609

There has been the suggestion that Root could be the designated spinner and so make way for an extra player who could be Chris Woakes.

With Worcestershire losing today, the table is getting interesting - three teams on eight points and four more on six.

That's a blow for England and also, of course, for Jack Leach.
No replacement announced yet.
Danny Briggs? Unlikely; but you never know.

Agreed, though best not talk about his bowling figures.
Did he leave the Club under a bit of a cloud or am I making that up?

Well I do sometimes stay with a friend who designates his spare room The Ian Bell Suite.

A quick return to action today.
I will be interested to see the crowd size today compared with last Saturday when there was a really good crowd. I'm all in favour of encouraging women's cricket and back-to-back women's and men's games seems like a good idea. But whether playing a Bears match on a Saturday evening rather than in the afternoon will work is another matter.
I'm probably biased because I don't want to face an almost two hour journey home late at night so am put off attending.

I agree with most of what has been said.
Although Derbyshire aren't the best team in the Group, I think that Mickey Arthur has done a good job there in creating a team where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts so it's no disgrace to lose to them - but let's not get into the habit!

Useful to the Bears' chances that the multi-talented Lancs side lost again last night.

Moeen in the squad so will presumably play and captain the side:
https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/first-xi/derbyshire-falcons-vs-bears-2-june-2023/#match-match-previews

Averages here:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/averages-batting-bowling-by-team/vitality-blast-2023-15160?team=1479
Sam Hain averages 204. One day, if he works hard at his game, he might just be good enough to play for England.

It's a bit sad now reading the interview with him where he says: "It is an amazing feeling to be back in England colours and I am ready to give it my all,"

Every time I have a pessimistic thought about the Bears, I put a £1 coin in a jar.
It's currently half empty.

I know that he's the man that we love to hate on here; but I have to say about Alex Davies that:

• he kept wicket well
• he made some excellent bowling changes and sticking with the spinners even though the ball wasn't turning too much was a master-stroke
• he batted really well

BristolBear wrote:

I might just be a sceptic, but as fantastic as that was. It terrifies me for later in the competition.
Especially when they get Salt, Gleeson and Butler back in.

Just hope this isn’t a peak too early sort of season (again).

One of the great things about this site is the range of opinions expressed; and I realise that few people would mistake the average Bears fan for a ray of sunshine. But this is a very pessimistic view.