Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

'Test cricket is hard work. I'm 35 and something's got to give': Moeen closes the door on England test return

The 35-year-old announced his retirement from the longest format of the game in September last year but in June said McCullum had sounded him out about a potential red-ball return.

'Test cricket is hard work. I'm 35 and something's got to give': Moeen closes the door on England test return

England all-rounder Moeen Ali said he has closed the door on a return to test cricket after having an "honest" conversation with coach Brendon McCullum.

Moeen made his test debut in 2014 and went on to score 2,914 runs in 64 tests at an average of 28.29, picking up 195 wickets.


The 35-year-old announced his retirement from the longest format of the game in September last year but in June said McCullum had sounded him out about a potential red-ball return.

England's test side next play a three-match series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi in December but Moeen said he would not be with them.

"I've had an honest chat with Baz (McCullum) and I can't see myself being stuck in hotels for another month and playing to the best of my ability," Moeen wrote in his column for the Daily Mail on Monday.

"Baz phoned me, we spoke at length and I said, 'Sorry, I'm done'. He understands, he knows the feeling. Test cricket is hard work. I'm 35 and something's got to give.

"I want to enjoy my cricket and it wouldn't be fair to reverse my decision and then struggle to give it my all. It's time to close the door on that side of my career. To play 64 tests for England has been a privilege and a dream fulfilled."

Moeen captained England's Twenty20 side in their 4-3 series win over Pakistan in the absence of the injured Jos Buttler, and will be a key player for the team in this month's T20 World Cup in Australia.

(Reuters)

More For You

vijay-tamil-nadu-chief-minister

Newly-elected Tamil Nadu chief minister C. Joseph Vijay takes a selfie with the gathering during his swearing-in ceremony at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, on May 10, 2026.

(PTI Photo)

Film star Vijay sworn in as chief minister of Tamil Nadu

INDIAN film star C Joseph Vijay was sworn in as chief minister of Tamil Nadu state on Sunday (10) after his new party brokered a coalition in the southern industrial hub.

The swearing-in ceremony followed days of high drama in the state capital Chennai, where Vijay's fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party initially struggled to secure support from smaller parties after state elections.

Keep ReadingShow less