England cricketer Moeen Ali has retired from Test cricket in order to concentrate on the other two formats.
I’m 34 now and I want to play for as long as I can and I just want to enjoy my cricket,” Moeen said.
“Test cricket is amazing, when you’re having a good day it’s better than any other format by far, it’s more rewarding and you feel like you’ve really earned it.
“I will miss just walking out there with the lads, playing against best in the world with that feeling of nerves but also from a bowling point of view, knowing with my best ball I could get anyone out. I’ve enjoyed Test Cricket but that intensity can be too much sometimes and I feel like I’ve done enough of it and I’m happy and content with how I’ve done.”
He made his Test debut in 2014 and went on to score 2914 runs at 28.29. He also took 195 wickets at 36.66 with his off-spin.
Moeen Ali, in the ECB press release statement, also thanked his coaches and his family.
“I have to thank Peter Moores and Chris Silverwood for being my coaches and Peter for giving me my debut. Cookie and Rooty as the captains who I’ve enjoyed playing under and I hope they are happy with how I played,” he said.
“My parents are my number one, I feel without their support there is no way I would have made it, every game I played was for them and I know they are really proud of me.
“My brothers and my sister, on my bad days they’ve been the first to pick me up and my wife and kids, my wife’s sacrifices and the patience she has, I am really grateful for that. They have all been amazing on my journey, everything I did I did for them.”
