Moeen Ali declines England coach Brendon McCullum’s offer to play Tests in India next year

Moeen Ali and Brendon McCullum . (Photo Source: Twitter)

England and Australia played out a memorable Ashes series where the spoils were shared 2-2 in the end. The Pat Cummins’ men retained the urn as they came into the clash as the defending champions. While two spinners, Nathan Lyon (first two Tests) and Todd Murphy (third and fifth Tests) featured for Australia during the five-match series, England relied on Moeen Ali as their only frontline spin option and went without a spinner when he was ruled out due to a finger injury in the Lord’s Test.

Moeen was suddenly called to England’s side for the Ashes after Ben Stokes convinced him to come out of Test retirement with a to-the-point text message. The all-rounder played his role decently as he scored 180 runs in four matches and also picked up nine wickets. During Day 2 of the fifth Ashes Test in London, England coach Brendon McCullum offered Moeen a chance to feature in the series against India in early 2024. However, the 36-year-old rejected the offer as he had made up his mind to retire once again after the Ashes.

“They knew from the start. Especially when those India 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,” Moeen Ali was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

It crossed my mind that I might not be able to bowl, but I knew it was my last day in Test cricket: Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali suffered a groin injury while batting in England‘s first innings. However, he showed great commitment and bowled with the injury on Day 5, picking up three crucial wickets. The experienced campaigner gave an insight into his injury and also joked that he could get away with “rubbish” fielding as he was playing through pain.

“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 quick. 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.