Moeen Ali has made a firm decision to retire from Test cricket once more, following England’s triumphant victory in the fifth Ashes Test at the iconic Oval. This time, Moeen has asserted that he will not entertain the idea of reversing his retirement choice.
One of the finest All-rounders from England, Moeen Ali has made it official that he will re-retire from Test cricket once again, following England’s triumph in the fifth Ashes Test at the Oval. This time, he won’t reconsider his decision.
Moeen, known for his off-spinning skills, played a crucial role in England’s victory, securing three wickets on the final day against Australia. The closely-fought series ended with a 2-2 draw after the hosts emerged victorious in the fifth and final Test at the Oval.
The 35-year-old had previously retired from Test cricket after the 2021 summer, but he changed his mind after discussions with Test captain Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum. The decision to return came about when Jack Leach suffered a stress fracture of the back, leaving a gap in the squad.
Interestingly, Moeen revealed that he was initially approached by the skipper with a simple text message: ‘Ashes?’ To which, he responded with a playful “Lol” before ultimately agreeing to make his comeback.
“I know I’m done. If Stokesy messages me again, I am going to delete it! I have enjoyed it and it is great to finish on a high,” Stokes told Sky Sports.
“It was great to come back. When Stokesy messaged me I was a little taken aback but when I said yes, I was fully into it. I have loved it, it has been an amazing experience to play under Stokesy and Baz (England coach Brendon McCullum), one I will never forget for the rest of my life. I am so glad I said yes,” he added.
During the 2023 Ashes series, the off-spin all-rounder showcased his abilities, scoring 180 runs across four Tests, which included a notable half-century at Emirates Old Trafford. He also made a request to be promoted to No 3 in the batting order. In addition to his batting contributions, Moeen proved effective with the ball, taking a total of nine wickets during the series.
Impressively, Moeen concluded the Ashes series as the 16th Test cricketer in history to achieve the impressive milestone of 3,000 runs and 200 wickets. His contributions on the field have undoubtedly left a mark on the sport.
