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England all-rounder Moeen Ali has made it clear that he will not change his decision to retire from Test cricket. Despite the plea from England’s head coach, Brendon McCullum, Moeen remains steadfast in his resolve.
The 36-year-old cricketer, known for his prowess with both bat and ball, announced his Test retirement on the last day of the recently-concluded Ashes series. Moeen will focus on playing in limited-overs games and would like to spend more time with his family.
The right-hander was especially magnificent in the 5th Ashes Test as he picked up three crucial wickets in the fourth innings, guiding England to a 43-run victory.
Now, with England scheduled to tour India for a Test series as a part of the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, McCullum reached out to Moeen, hoping to convince him to reconsider his retirement and join the squad.
Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Ali revealed that he told McCullum there’s no way he’ll be going to India.
“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,” said the Birmingham-born cricketer.
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No regrets about his Test career
Moeen, who featured in 68 Tests for England, has left an indelible mark on the game with his impressive all-round performances. Scoring over 3000 runs and taking more than 200 wickets in the longest format, he has been a valuable asset to the team.
His performances against India have been particularly noteworthy, claiming 55 wickets against the Asian giants, including two 5-wicket hauls. In the 6 Tests played in India, he has managed to pick up 18 wickets, showcasing his effectiveness on the subcontinent pitches.
As he reflects on his Test career, Moeen emphasizes that he has no regrets despite its ups and downs. He expressed his delight in concluding his Test journey at The Oval, where England levelled the Ashes series 2-2.
Moeen shared his thoughts, saying,“I still don’t believe I have 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.”
The loss of Moeen in the Test format is undoubtedly a significant blow to England. Over the years, Moeen has played a crucial role as a spinning all-rounder and has been a valuable asset to the team in Test cricket.
His absence on the Indian tour may require England to reassess their options and find suitable replacements to fill the void left by the experienced all-rounder.
