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Renowned England all-rounder Moeen Ali has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket at the age of 37. This decision follows his omission from the upcoming Australia series, signalling the end of an illustrious career. Moeen, who debuted for England in 2014, has decided it’s time for the next generation to step up and lead the team forward.
A storied career filled with achievements
Moeen’s international journey is marked by substantial contributions across all formats. With 68 Test matches, 138 ODIs, and 92 T20Is to his name, Moeen accumulated 6,678 runs and claimed 366 wickets. His final international appearance came in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against India on June 27 in Guyana. Reflecting on his career, Speaking to the Daily Mail, Moeen stated, “I’m 37 years old and didn’t get picked for this month’s Australia series. I’ve played a lot of cricket for England. It’s time for the next generation, which was also explained to me. It felt like the time was right. I’ve done my part,”
His career highlights include a memorable Test hat-trick against South Africa at The Oval and being part of England’s victorious World Cup squads in 2019 (ODI) and 2022 (T20I). Moeen’s versatility and impact on crucial moments have been hallmarks of his playing style.
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Reflections and future endeavours
In his retirement announcement, Moeen expressed a mix of nostalgia and realism. “I still feel I can play, but I understand that the team needs to evolve into a new cycle. It’s about being honest with myself,” Although he is stepping away from international cricket, Moeen plans to remain active in the sport through franchise cricket and coaching. “A bit of franchise cricket, because I still love playing. But coaching is something I want to do – I want to be one of the best,” he concluded. He is currently playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with the Guyana Amazon Warriors and has also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the iconic team Chennai Super Kings (CSK), SA20 and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
Impressive statistics and lasting legacy
Moeen’s Test career boasts 3,094 runs and 204 wickets, with five centuries and 15 fifties. In white-ball cricket, he scored 2,355 runs and took 111 wickets in ODIs, and amassed 1,229 runs and 51 wickets in T20Is. His record for England’s fastest T20I half-century (16 balls) further highlights his explosive impact in the shorter formats. As he transitions to his next phase in cricket, he remains optimistic about his future contributions. Moeen’s departure from international cricket marks the end of a distinguished era, but his ongoing involvement in the sport promises to continue his legacy.
