The English spin bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali recently announced his retirement from test cricket, After coming out of it exclusively for the prestigious test tournament, the Ashes 2023. The Ashes 2023 had a wonderful run, as the marquee tournament tied for 2-2 at the end of five test matches for both teams as the fifth match got washed away by rain.
The Australian squad retained their title of defending champions as the tournament didn’t bring out favourable results for either side. Moeen Ali had announced his retirement before the tournament but was called back by the England cricket team’s captain Ben Stokes as the team relied only on Moeen Ali as their frontline spin bowler.
However, after concluding the Ashes 2023, Moeen Ali has given the offer of coming out of retirement to play the test against the Indian cricket team by the former New Zealand opening batsmen and England’s head goes Brendon McCullum. The offer was ultimately turned down by Moeen Ali as he remained persistent to retire from the longest format of the sport.
Moeen Ali on his retirement from test cricket
“They knew from the start. Especially when those Indian venues came out! Baz asked me again when I had my day off on the second day. I said no. I’m not going [to India]. There’s no way I’m going. That’s me done. It’s nice to finish like this and be part of an amazing day,” said Moeen Ali during an exclusive conversation with ESPNcricinfo.
“It’s something called an adductor. I’d never heard of it before. “It’s only when I’m running. It’s great actually, because you can get away with being rubbish in the field. Guys are moving their positions for me to go into the easiest positions. Apparently, it settles down quickly”, added Moeen Ali.
“Not bowling in the first innings and having a day off allowed me to bowl today. It was real sore at first and I was quite sore [on Monday]. It crossed my mind that I might not be able to bowl, but I knew it was my last day in Test cricket,” Moeen concluded.
