Moeen Ali announces retirement from Test cricket

England all-rounder Moeen Ali on Monday has announced his retirement from Test cricket.

Moeen Ali who made his test debut in 2014, retires with 64 Test caps for England, having scored 2,916 runs and taken 195 wickets.

“I’m 34 now and I want to play for as long as I can and I just want to enjoy my cricket,” Ali said in a statement.

“Test cricket is amazing, when you’re having a good day it’s better than any other format by far, it’s more rewarding and you feel like you’ve really earned it.

“I will miss just walking out there with the lads, playing against best in the world with that feeling of nerves but also from a bowling point of view, knowing with my best ball I could get anyone out.

“I’ve enjoyed Test Cricket but that intensity can be too much sometimes and I feel like I’ve done enough of it and I’m happy and content with how I’ve done,” he added.

The all-rounder also thanked his coaches and family alike for their support throughout the journey.

“I have to thank Peter Moores and Chris Silverwood for being my coaches and Peter for giving me my debut. Cookie and Rooty as the captains who I’ve enjoyed playing under and I hope they are happy with how I played.

“My parents are my number one, I feel without their support there is no way I would have made it, every game I played was for them and I know they are really proud of me.

“My brothers and my sister, on my bad days they’ve been the first to pick me up and my wife and kids, my wife’s sacrifices and the patience she has, I am really grateful for that.

“They have all been amazing on my journey, everything I did I did for them.”

Moeen, who is part of England’s squad for the T20 World Cup later this month, will continue playing limited-overs cricket at both the international and domestic levels.