London: Moeen Ali, an all-around player for England, has decided to put a full stop to his Test career. Moeen announced that the Oval Test match against Australia, in which he took three crucial wickets in the final innings, would be his final contest in the longest format of the game. The all-rounder made a joke about deleting any further messages from Stokes asking him to join the England team.
"If I get a message from Stokesy again, I'm going to delete it," Moeen told after the Oval Test match.
"It feels amazing. To come back was obviously a little bit daunting because I've never played that well against Australia and it was one of those things when Stokesy asked me I thought: "Why not, I'm going to go into a brillant side and I still believe I can do alright," and it's just great to be back part of this amazing team," Moeen told.
The seasoned all-rounder had initially announced his retirement from Test cricket in 2021, but Jack Leach's unfortunate injury caused things to take an unexpected turn. Discussions with England captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, who were crucial in getting him to change his mind, made it easier for him to return.
"I'm so glad I came back and said yes. Just from the first day I came back into the changing room with Baz and Stokesy and to play again with Broad and Jimmy and Woody, it's been amazing and I'm chuffed that I can finish with a win against Australia with a bit of a helping hand," Moeen told.
Ali did not make his decision to rejoin the England team and end his retirement lightly. In the Ashes 2023 series, Ali served as both England's No. 3 batter and lead spinner, a rare all-around position that highlighted his adaptability and talent.
Despite his initial reluctance, Ali flourished in this role, showcasing his skill as a bowler and batsman. Throughout the series, he played a crucial role in several pivotal moments, including a standout performance in which he claimed the team's 200th red-ball wicket.
"They brought the best out of me but I am not complaining. I've had a good run and I have really enjoyed playing Test cricket with England and representing everyone in this country. It's been amazing," Moeen said.
Ali faced some challenges while playing in the Ashes 2023 series. He nearly missed another game due to a groin strain after suffering a finger injury in the first Test match. But he persisted, displaying the same fortitude and tenacity that have defined his career.
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