England cricketer Moeen Ali is currently playing in the IPL 2021 with the Chennai Super Kings. The big breaking news is that the all-rounder has announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) revealed the news in a release today.
The 34-year-old player made his Test debut in 2014 and represented England in 64 Test matches. He scored 2914 runs and took 195 wickets with his off-spin. Ali took 195 Test wickets including 5 five-wicket hauls and scored five-Test match centuries during his career.
Moeen is happy and content with what he had achieved in the longest format of the game. Talking about the 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.
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’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.
Moeen thinks that his test career can inspire other British Islam people to play for ECB. He stated, 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.
Ali thanked his coaches, captains and all of his family for their support during his journey. He has showcased absolute excellence with both ball and bat in his Test career. He has batted in every position from No.1 to No.9. As a spinner, his finest period came between 2017 and 2019. The CSK all-rounder is part of England's squad for next month’s ICC Men's T20 World Cup.