Moeen Ali retires from Test Cricket

England cricketer Moeen Ali has retired from Test cricket.

The all-rounder made the announcement on Monday, September 27, 2021, and made 64 Test appearances after his 2014 debut against Sri Lanka.

Ali picked up 2,914 runs and 195 wickets throughout his Test cricket career, with his most recent gains coming from the summer series against India.

He will continue to play limited-overs cricket at both domestic and international levels and is part of the team for the T20 World Cup.

He 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 earned it.

“I will miss just walking out there with the lads, playing against the 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.”

Moeen Ali also thanked all those who had supported him throughout his career. He continued:

“I have to thank Peter Moores and Chris Silverwood for being my coaches and Peter for giving me my debut.

“Cookie [Alastair Cook] and Rooty [Joe Root] 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.”

The cricketer also hopes to inspire other young English Muslims to play cricket.

“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 eight to 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.”

Speaking of Ali’s retirement, England team captain, Joe Root said:

“First and foremost, it goes without saying that Mo’s career speaks for itself and what he has achieved.

“He’s done some wonderful things in Test cricket. He’s been one of the great guys to play alongside.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed sharing that dressing room with him and we’ve had so many wonderful memories, on the field and off the field.”