England all-rounder Moeen Ali has ruled out a return to Test cricket after an “honest” discussion with coach Brendon McCullum.Moeen made his test debut in 2014 and went on to score 2,914 runs at an average of 28.29 wickets in 64 tests.
The 35-year-old announced his retirement from the game’s longest format in September of last year but said in June that McCullum had approached him about a possible red-ball return.
England’s next test series is against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, Multan, and Karachi in December, but Moeen has stated that he will not be there.”I had an honest conversation with Baz (McCullum), and I can’t see myself staying in hotels for another month and playing to the best of my ability.”
Baz called, we talked for a while, and I said, ‘Sorry, I’m done.’ He understands, he knows how you feel. Test cricket is a demanding sport. My age is 35, and something must give.”I want to enjoy my cricket, and it would be unjust to change my mind and then struggle to give it my all. It’s time to call it quits on that aspect of my career.
It’s been an honor and a dream come true to play 64 tests for England.” Moeen Ali captained England’s Twenty20 side in their 4-3 series win over Pakistan in the absence of the injured Jos Buttler, and he will be a key player for the team in this month’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
