BREAKING NEWS: England all-rounder Moeen Ali announces his retirement from Test matches ahead of the Ashes… but will continue to play limited overs cricket
- England Men’s all-rounder Moeen Ali has retired from Test Match cricket
- The 34-year-old made his Test debut in 2014 and went on to play 64 times
- During that time he took 195 Test wickets and scored five Test match centuries
- Ali wants to focus on enjoying his cricket as he looks to prolong his career
England Men’s all-rounder Moeen Ali has made the decision to retire from Test cricket in a bid to prolong his career.
The 34-year-old – who made 64 Test appearances for England after making his debut in 2014 – said he will miss ‘playing against the best’ but admits he is ‘content’ with how his career has gone.
As a result, Ali will now focus on white-ball cricket for England, county cricket for Worcestershire and domestic T20 tournaments.
England Men’s all-rounder Moeen Ali has confirmed his retirement from Test match cricket
Speaking about his decision to retire, Ali said: ‘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 earnt it.
‘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.’
Ali (left) made a total of 64 Test appearances for England after making his debut in 2014
During that time he took 195 Test wickets and scored five Test match centuries
‘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.’
Ali will be a huge loss for England as he took 195 Test wickets and scored five Test match centuries during his career.
Ali hopes his achievements will encourage British Muslims to play for England. He said: ‘It always takes somebody to inspire you or takes somebody to think if he can do it I can and I hope there are a few people out there who are thinking that.
‘I know he wasn’t English but someone like Hashim Amla, when I first saw him, I thought if he can do it I can do it, it does take that little spark.
‘I’d love one day in 8-10 years’ time to say Moeen made it easier for me. There have been guys before me who made it easier, so you hope to open the door for someone else.’
As a result, the 34-year-old has finished his Test career on a total of 2,916 runs
Ali will now focus on white-ball cricket for England, county cricket for Worcestershire and domestic T20 tournaments
The 34-year-old also thanked his friends, family and coaches for their support throughout his career.
He said: ‘I have to thank Peter Moores and Chris Silverwood for being my coaches and Peter for giving me my debut. Cookie and Rooty as the captains who I’ve enjoyed playing under and I hope they are happy with how I played.
‘My parents are my number one, I feel without their support there is no way I would have made it, every game I played was for them and I know they are really proud of me.
‘My brothers and my sister, on my bad days they’ve been the first to pick me up and my wife and kids, my wife’s sacrifices and the patience she has, I am really grateful for that.
‘They have all been amazing on my journey, everything I did I did for them.’
More to follow…