To replace the injured Jack Leach in England’s Ashes squad, Moeen Ali has emerged from his Test retirement.
Moeen comes out of test retirement: After Leach, another spin bowler, was ruled out due to a stress fracture in his lower back, Moeen decided to give up playing red-ball cricket internationally almost two years ago. However, he has now decided to come back for the Australia series.
The England team has named the 35-year-old player for the opening two Test matches, and it now appears certain that he will participate in the first match at Edgbaston, beginning on Friday, June 16. This will mark his first red-ball appearance since September 2021.
The managing director of England men’s cricket, Rob Key, stated, “we reached out to Mo (Moeen Ali) early this week about returning to Test cricket.”
“Mo is eager to join the team and play Test cricket once more after having a couple of days to think things over. His extensive knowledge and all-around talent will help our Ashes campaign.
We send Mo and the rest of the squad our best wishes.
With the ball, off-spinner Moeen has a dismal Test record against Australia; his average of 64.65 in 11 games against the Baggy Greens is substantially higher than his lifetime average of 36.66 in Test matches.
He does, however, bring to an England team that is hoping to reclaim The Ashes for the first time since 2015 a total of 195 wickets and more than 2,900 runs from 64 Tests.
Other choices for England included left-arm spinner Liam Dawson, who last played Test cricket in 2017, 18-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed and off-spinner all-rounder Will Jacks, who played in Pakistan over the winter.
Moeen adheres to the philosophy of Stokes and McCullum.
Before Moeen was called up but following Leach’s injury, England seam bowler Stuart Broad said: “We know Mo is a terrific cricketer.
He is somebody who would “beautifully fit into [captain Ben] Stokes and Baz’s [head coach Brendon McCullum’s] philosophy.” He plays quite well in cricket.
Before the 3-0 series sweep in Pakistan, McCullum approached Moeen about a comeback, but he decided to stay in retirement.
But this time, an Ashes series has proven too alluring to pass up.
Following the Edgbaston Test, England will play Australia at Lord’s (June 28–July 2); Headingley; Emirates Old Trafford; and The Kia Oval (July 27–31).
After recording just one victory in 17 games before Stokes and McCullum’s appointments as captain and coach, respectively, England has won 11 of its last 13 Test matches.