England’s seasoned all-rounder Moeen Ali on Monday decided to hang his boots from the longest format of the game to prolong his career in the white-ball formats, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed.
Ali, who made his Test debut back in 2014, has amassed 2,914 runs in 64 Tests at an average of 28.29. He has also slammed five tons beside scalping 195 wickets at an average of 36.66.
Commenting on his decision, Ali 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,” he added.
Thanked his coaches, captains and all of his family for their support during his Test career, Ali said: “I have to thank Peter Moores and Chris Silverwood for being my coaches and Peter for giving me my debut. Cookie and Rooty 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,” he added.
Moeen, who has not played a lot of Tests since the 2019 Ashes, was recalled for the recent England’s home series against India however, reports cliamed that the off-spinner was not happy with the idea of staying away from his family for extended periods while bubble fatigue could also be an another issue.
Ali is currently in the UAE, featuring for three-time Indian premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
He recently just fell just short of becoming only the 15th player overall to achieve a double of 3000 runs and 200 wickets in the format.