Moeen Ali has confirmed that the fifth Ashes Test was his last in the traditional format and “no way” would he be going to India for the Test series early next year.
“There is no way I am going (to India). It is nice to finish like this. Test cricket is the best cricket. I wish I could rewind time,” The Guardian quoted the England all-rounder, who came out of Test retirement for the Ashes after a text message from captain Ben Stokes, as saying.
All-rounder Moeen has played 68 Tests for England with 3,094 runs, including five hundreds and 15 fifties, and 204 wickets.
Though his Test career could have been longer, Moeen goes satisfied with what he has achieved. “Although my Test career has been a bit up and down, I wouldn’t change it. I’ve loved it. I would have regretted (not accepting England’s recall) later in life.
“It was quite daunting because I’ve never done well against Australia. I had nothing to lose — it was a free hit,” the 36-year-old said.
Australia retained the Ashes but England gave a fitting send-off to Moeen as he led the side out of The Oval with Stuart Broad, who too announced his retirement after the fifth Test. Moeen said it was indeed nice of Broad to allow him to walk beside.
“It proves the man he is. I didn’t want to do it and he said I had to,” he added.
