England all-rounder Moeen Ali announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday to prolong his career in the white-ball formats.
Discussing his decision, Moeen 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. 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.”
6⃣4⃣ Test matches
1⃣9⃣5⃣ wickets
2⃣9⃣1⃣4⃣ runs
Countless memories ❤️#ThankYouMo 👏— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 27, 2021
Moeen had already informed captain Joe Root and head coach Chris Silverwood of his decision.
The 34-year-old has scored 2,914 runs in 64 Tests at an average of 28.29 with five centuries and picked up 195 wickets with his off-spin bowling at an average of 36.66.
Ali hopes that his Test career will inspire and open the door for other British Muslims to play for England. Ali added: “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.”
Moeen, who has not played a lot of Test cricket since the 2019 Ashes, was recalled for the recent home series against India.
He is currently in the UAE, playing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Moeen will continue playing white-ball cricket for England, county cricket for Worcestershire and domestic Twenty20 tournaments.
He remains a part of England’s plans for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman.
Moeen was on the verge of becoming only the 15th player in Test history to score 3,000 runs and claim 200 wickets when the fifth Test against India was cancelled owing to COVID-19 threat.
With PTI inputs
