MOEEN Ali dedicated Worcestershire's T20 Blast glory to former director of cricket Steve Rhodes.

The New Road outfit parted company with Rhodes after 33 years in December 2017 shortly after reports he had hidden from the club allegations of rape against Alex Hepburn, who denies the charges. The case is set to go to trial early next year.

Rhodes is now head coach of Bangladesh but despite both former boss and county moving on, Moeen was quick to remember his influence after Worcestershire's big day.

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"It means a lot, it is more than just a cricket team and a group of guys,” said Moeen.

“It is for the city, the fans, the people that work at the ground and everybody involved.

"I want to give a special mention to Bumpy Rhodes. He put this team together and unfortunately is not here to see it but I am sure he will be very proud that all the guys he brought through the academy are doing well, we are just reaping the rewards.

"It's great for me in my first year as a captain, I felt the time was right for me to be a captain and Bumpy gave me the opportunity before he left. To lead this bunch of guys with no egos is fantastic.

"I didn't expect to win the trophy. To get through the quarter-finals was more of a mental block for us, we have been there a few times in recent years and to get over that was the more special day for us, even though we won comfortably in the end.

"We have been getting better and better every year and this time we got everything right.

“We can still get better as a team but I am chuffed for the boys, we deserved it.”

Victory came at a price for the skipper, though, with an unwitting clout as the players burst on to the pitch to celebrate.

"Mitch (Daryl Mitchell) got a bit excited and nailed me straight on the nose but it was all good," explained Moeen.

"I am not one for running on to the field too much. You win and lose with dignity, you have to respect the opposition when they have lost a tough game but the guys were buzzing and deserved to run on.

"I was never going to run on. It had been a long day but as a captain you have to lead the team in all aspects and I gave permission for the boys to run on."