AUS vs ENG: "I am Not Going ..."- Moeen Ali Reveals Conversation With Brendon McCullum On India Series

England all-rounder Moeen Ali confirmed that he will not make a comeback to Test cricket after Ashes 2023 and that he remains retired from the format after playing his part in the 2-2 series draw against Australia.

England won the fifth Test match by 49 runs to win the fifth Test and level the series 2-2. This is the second time in back to back Ashes series in England that ended 2-2. The Ashes 2019 also ended in a stalemate as well.

Moeen Ali talking to ESPN Cricinfo, revealed his conversation with Brendon McCullum regarding his future in Test cricket. Ali scored 180 runs and picked up 9 wickets in the recently concluded Ashes series.

“They knew from the start. Especially when those India venues came out! Baz asked me again when I had my day off on the second day. I said no. I’m not going [to India]. There’s no way I’m going. That’s me done. It’s nice to finish like this and be part of an amazing day,” Moeen said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

He further looked back on his Test career and said he could have done a lot better in the format but finishing an Ashes series with a draw isn’t bad either.

It Was Daunting: Moeen Ali On His Test Comeback

“I still don’t believe I’ve done that well, but it was great to finish like this. It was daunting, but I had nothing to lose, it was a free hit. I had a call from Baz and Stokesy, I felt like I was bowling alright, but the finger was the only issue. I wasn’t worried about the bowling” said Moeen.

The England all-rounder coped with a couple of injuries during the series. First, he injured his bowling finger which ruled him out of the third Test. He also had a groin injury while batting on day 1 of the fourth Test but returned to bowl 23 overs in their second, taking 3 for 76 playing his part in England’s win. He said his groin injury was real sore and it remains to be seen how fit he is for The Hundred.

“Apparently it settles down quick. Not bowling in the first innings and having a day off allowed me to bowl today. It was real sore at first and I was quite sore [on Monday]. It crossed my mind that I might not be able to bowl, but I knew it was my last day in Test cricket” Moeen concluded saying.