Picture Credit: Twitter
England’s allrounder Moeen Ali, on 27 September, announced that he will not play anymore in the longest format of the game. The decision came as a surprise but one could not do much but appreciate Moeen for what he has given to England cricket. Ali has played 64 Tests for England and scored 2914 runs at an average of 28.29. Apart from that, he claimed 195 wickets including five 5-wicket hauls and a 10-wicket haul in a match.
Ali’s contribution cannot be overlooked as he has won games for his team on numerous occasions. He was a team man who always played selflessly which reflects in his batting positions. Ali has batted at all positions from 1 to 9 in his Test career. People who have watched him play will always admire him for his glorious cover drives.
Twitter users were quick to react to Moeen’s decision. A few looked disappointed as they wanted to see more of him in the whites while some just wished him the best for his future. “Goodbye Moeen Ali. Thanks for the memories,” wrote one of the users.
Check some of the reactions here:
I felt like I was done: Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali has called his time in Test cricket, however we will be able to see him play in the white-ball format. Ali had his moments while playing for England. He scored five centuries, claimed a hattrick, and batted wherever the team management asked him to do. It may have surprised many but Ali feels he was done in the longest format.
"I felt like I was done, to be honest. I was hoping to play the last Test - there were a couple of milestones I wanted to pass - but once that game got called off, I realized that was it,” said Ali on his decision. “You try your best. I just found it really hard to get in the zone bowling, batting, and in the field. And the more I tried, I just couldn't do it. In the past when I came back into the team, it might take a bit of time but then I'm all in. But that series, I just couldn't do it,” he stated.