Moeen Ali reaffirms retirement from Test cricket - 'If Ben Stokes messages me again, I'm going to delete it'

Moeen Ali insists he is once again retired from Test cricket following England’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Australia in this year’s Ashes series.

The 36-year-old all-rounder previously walked away from the five-day game in 2021 but was persuaded to suit up for England one last time by Ben Stokes following the injury to spinner Jack Leach.

The England captain messaged Ali saying "Ashes?" and Ali answered the call before going on to play a part in four of the five Tests despite struggling with finger and groin problems.

Ali took three pivotal wickets on the final day of Ashes action, which took his tally for the series up to nine, while he also scored a commendable 181 runs with the bat as England drew the series in thrilling fashion.

But despite admitting it was an "amazing experience", he quickly ruled out making his return a permanent one.

"It was amazing, great to come back. When he messaged me I was a little bit taken aback by it, I didn’t hear the news about Leachy at the time," he said.

"But then when I said yes I was fully into it and I really enjoyed it. I’ve absolutely loved it, it’s been an amazing experience to play under Stokesy and Baz, it was great fun."

Asked if he was tempted to continue, he added: "No, I know I’m done. If Stokesy messages me again I’m going to delete it."

England are next in action in January 2024 when they travel to India for a five-test series. Stokes hinted that he hoped the spinner would consider playing after the dust had settled on this year's Ashes but Ali was adamant this was a fitting way to bring the curtain down on a Test career that featured 3,094 runs and 204 wickets.

“I’m so glad I said yes to Stokesy, it’s been an amazing experience and I’ll never forget that for the rest of my life.

"Yeah that’s me done now. I really have enjoyed it and it’s great to finish that way."

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