Moeen Ali Announces Retirement From Test Cricket

England all-rounder Moeen Ali on Monday announced retirement from Test cricket, the International Cricket Council confirmed on its official website.

The 34-year-old Birmingham-born player took the immediate step to prolong his white-ball career and said that the red-ball format is better than any other format.

I will miss just walking out there with the lads: Moeen Ali

Moeen, who was the third-highest wicket-taker in the current England team behind James Anderson and Stuart Broad, said that he wants to enjoy his remaining days in cricket and mentioned that he has done enough in the oldest format of the game.

“I’m 34 now and I want to play for as long as I can and I just want to enjoy my cricket. Test cricket is amazing, when you’re having a good day it’s better than any other format by far, it’s more rewarding and you feel like you’ve really earned it,” Moeen said. 

“I will miss just walking out there with the lads, playing against best in the world with that feeling of nerves but also from a bowling point of view, knowing with my best ball I could get anyone out. 

“I’ve enjoyed Test Cricket but that intensity can be too much sometimes and I feel like I’ve done enough of it and I’m happy and content with how I’ve done,” he added. 

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the all-rounder revealed his decision first to head coach Chris Silverwood and England Test captain Joe Root.

Back in 2019, Moeen had said that he would take a break from Test cricket as he mentioned to refresh his batteries (energy) just after the Ashes at home.

Moeen Ali scored 2914 runs and took 195 Test wickets for England

In his last Test against India, Moeen stood up as England’s vice-captain in Jos Buttler’s absence at the Kia Oval. The Birmingham-born player has scored 2914 runs at an average of 28.9 and claimed 195 Test wickets.

Moeen Ali could have easily breached the benchmark of scoring 3000 Test runs and 200 wickets if he would have stayed until the end of the Ashes in Australia in January.

Moeen scored five hundreds and 14 half-centuries to his name in Test cricket while he also picked 5 five-wicket hauls in his spectacular career in the longest format of the game.

Also Read: India vs England 2021: Nasser Hussain Calls Out Joe Root’s “Lack Of Trust” In Moeen Ali’s Spin Bowling