Moeen Ali once again bids farewell to Test cricket after making U-turn for Ashes, says he will DELETE Ben Stokes’ message

He returned to the side for the Ashes series and after its conclusion, he again bid farewell to Test cricket.

Moeen Ali once again bids farewell to Test cricket after making U-turn for Ashes, says he will DELETE Ben Stokes’ message

Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali (Image via ESPN)

England all-rounder Moeen Ali retired from Test cricket in 2021. But a message from skipper Ben Stokes made him take a U-turn. He returned to the side for the Ashes series and after its conclusion on Monday (July 31) at The Oval in London, he again bid farewell to Test cricket.

England couldn’t avail of the services of left-arm spinner Jack Leach due to a lower back stress fracture and that’s why Stokes texted Ali to join the Ashes. Ali initially thought Stokes’ “Ashes?” message was a joke. Later Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum persuaded Ali to contemplate his decision. And though Ali decided to make the U-turn, it wasn’t a smooth comeback for him as he dealt with a finger injury while bowling at Edgbaston. Then he suffered from a groin injury while batting at The Oval on the first day.

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He played an important role for England as the host tied the series 2-2. In the fifth Test, he was instrumental in the bowling department with three scalps, helping the hosts win the match by 49 runs.

“If I get a message from Stokesy again, I’m going to delete it,” Moeen told Sky Sports. He added that he is glad to make a comeback. “That’s me done. I really have enjoyed it, and it’s great to finish on it.”

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Moeen Ali’s Test career

"If Stokes messages me again...," Moeen Ali once again bids FAREWELL to Test cricket after making U-turn for the Ashes
Moeen Ali (Image via ESPN)

During the Ashes, Moeen Ali completed his 200 Test wicket. He also became the 16th player to each 3,000 Test runs and 200 Test wickets.

Now he has 3094 runs and 204 wickets from 68 matches. Ali also finished the Ashes series with 180 runs at an average of 25.7 and nine wickets at 51.44 in the four Tests he played.

Meanwhile, Australia, after winning the first two Tests, couldn’t secure more wins in England. The hosts secured the third Test and the final one to tie the five-match Test series 2-2.

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