England all-rounder Moeen Ali puts off his Test cap forever

Moeen Ali, the 34-year-old England spin all-rounder, has retired from Test cricket. Moeen himself made the official announcement on Monday afternoon. However, he will continue to play white-ball cricket for the national team.

Making his Test debut in 2014, Moeen has represented England in 64 Test games, and has scored 2914 runs at an average of 28.29 with 5 centuries and 14 fifties with the bat and picked up 195 wickets alongside 5-wicket hauls for the 5 times with the ball.

Announcing his retirement from Test cricket, Moeen said he is now 34 and would like to enjoy cricket to the fullest. For him, Test cricket is great, when having a good day in this format it’s more fun than any other format, and it’s more rewarding. 

He added that he would miss the moments on the field with his teammates. He will miss the game with the best cricketers in the world where he had to give a nerve test and he knew he could knock out anyone in the world with his best delivery.

And if he took another 86 runs and 5 wickets in Test format, he would enter the club of 3000 runs and 200 wickets in the format. However, he explained that he enjoyed Test cricket but the intensity is too much sometimes. He thinks he has done enough and is satisfied with what he has been able to do.

He also thanked Peter Moores and Chris Silverwood for being his coaches because he made his debut under Moores. Besides that, he also expressed his gratefulness to captains Alastair Cook and Joe Root. He played under their leadership and enjoyed the game under them. He hopes that they are all happy with the way he has played.

With giving the full credit of his career to his parents, Moeen said that his parents are the best. He felt he could not have come so far without their support. Every match he has played for them and he knows they are really proud of him.

Moeen did not forget the support he got from his brothers and sisters. He said that his brothers and sisters have inspired him even in his bad days and he is truly grateful for the sacrifices of his wife and children. They have all played a great role in his journey and what he has done is for them.

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