England’s all-rounder Moeen Ali has confirmed his Test retirement after the hosts won the fifth and final Test match by 49 runs at Kennington Oval, London on Monday. Earlier, Ali had made a U-turn on his Test retirement to come back for the Ashes after England skipper Ben Stokes asked him about his availability for the series, following Jack Leach’s injury.
However, Ali has confirmed that Ashes 2023 was the final series of his career and he wouldn’t think of returning for the India tour in 2024. Ali played an instrumental role on the final day of the series, taking three wickets for 76 runs. The off-spinner accounted for Pat Cummins, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh in the second innings.
In fact, Ali could not bowl in the first innings due to a groin injury. Furthermore, he also took the challenge of batting at one down in the last five innings of the series.
The left-handed batter scored 180 runs in seven innings at an average of 25.71 in the series. Moreover, he scalped nine wickets in four Test matches at an average of 51.44.
“It was great to come back,” said Moeen after the win while talking to the host broadcaster. “When Stokesy messaged me I was a little bit taken aback but when I said yes I was fully into it. It has been an amazing experience to play under Stokesy and Baz. I knew the bigger challenge was going to be physical but I am so glad I said yes. It was been an amazing experience and one I will never forget for the rest of my life. 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.”
On the other hand, Ben Stokes revealed he picked Moeen Ali because he was aware of what the all-rounder brings to the table for England.
“He came in because of an unfortunate injury,” Stokes told BBC Test Match Special. “I chose him because I knew what he could do on his good days and when it really mattered he’s produced one of his best days as an England player. He changed the game for us. To put in those performances has been incredible. We’ll let him reflect on everything in the last six weeks and leave him to decide.”
England will now take on New Zealand in four T20Is and as many ODIs.
