England all-rounder Moeen Ali announces retirement from Test cricket

England cricketer Moeen Ali has announced his retirement from Test cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Monday. Earlier on Sunday, reports had stated that Moeen had already informed captain Joe Root and head coach Chris Silverwood of his decision to call time on his Test career, and a day later, the 34-year-old made the official announcement.

Moeen, however, will continue to play limited-overs cricket for England. He scored 2914 runs in 64 Test at an average of 28.29 and has taken 195 wickets with his off-spin. Since the 2019 Ashes, Moeen has made sporadic appearances for England in Tests and was recalled for the recently-concluded Test series against India, where he played three games.

Earlier this year in February, Moeen featured in one Test against India where he scored 6 and 43 and picked up eight wickets including two four-wicket-hauls (4/128 and 4/98) including the prized scalp of Virat Kohli for a duck in the first innings and 62 in the second. He then played in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tests against India at home, scoring 40, 8 and 35 respectively and claiming six wickets.