Moeen Ali Retires After Playing 64 Tests To Focus On White-Ball Cricket

Sep 27, 2021 at 4:35 PM

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Moeen Ali Retires After Playing 64 Tests To Focus On White-Ball Cricket

Moeen Ali, England’s all-rounder announced his retirement from Test cricket right ahead of the upcoming Ashes. Moeen Ali, who has played 64 Tests, has decided to bid adieu to the longest format.

He has come to his decision because he is uncomfortable with possible extended time away from home in the coming months as a likely member of both the T20 World Cup and Ashes squad.

Moeen Ali has retired from Test cricket.© AFP
Moeen Ali has retired from Test cricket.© AFP

Moeen Ali Decides To Retire From Tests To Focus On White Ball Cricket

The left-handed batsman is currently in the UAE, playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season. The spin bowling all-rounder has informed about his decision to head coach Chris Silverwood and Test captain Joe Root.

Moeen Ali celebrates after completing his hat trick against South Africa in 2017 Getty Images
Moeen Ali celebrates after completing his hat trick against South Africa in 2017 Getty Images

The all-rounder announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday 27th September. Making his Test debut in 2014, the affable all-rounder scored 2914 runs at 28.29 and took 195 wickets at 36.66 with his off-spin. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that Moeen Ali will be Joe Root’s deputy in the fourth Test against India which turned out his last Test outing.

Moeen Ali Wants To Prolong His White Ball Career

The England all-rounder wants to prolong his white-ball career so it is likely that he will continue to play county and franchise cricket. Moeen Ali has played 64 Tests for England, managing to score 2,914 runs at an average of 28.29 with his highest score being 155 not out. With the ball in hand, the off-spinner has taken 195 wickets with his best figures being 6-53.

Moeen Ali (Photo Credit : CSK Twitter Handle)
Moeen Ali (Photo Credit: CSK Twitter Handle)

A versatile left-handed batsman and an aggressive off-break bowler, Moeen Ali was bought by Chennai Super Kings for INR 7 crores at the IPL 2021 Player Auction. The left-hander represented RCB for two seasons in 2019 and 2020 before he was released by the franchise ahead of the 2021 edition of the league. He scored 261 runs playing 9 IPL 2021 games besides picking 5 scalps as the move to promote him to No. 3 worked.

The England player played 6 matches in the first leg, scoring 206 runs in 6 innings at an average of 34.33. The leg-handed batsman owned a strike rate of 157+ and also hit 1 fifty. He also picked 5 scalps averaging an impressive 14.8.

England has picked Tymal Mills in the squad as they announced their 15-member preliminary squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021, slated to commence on October 17 in the UAE and Oman. Meanwhile, ace all-rounder, Ben Stokes has not been considered, who is currently on a break citing mental health.

Despite wickets in UAE likely to be spin-friendly, England has picked just two frontline spinners in the squad in Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. Liam Livingstone, who has been in spectacular form with the bat recently, is expected to take up the job of the third spinner.

England’s Squad For Upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Tymal Mills, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood; Reserves: Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, James Vince

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