Moeen Ali has announced his retirement from international cricket following his omission from the white-ball series against Australia, and admitted: ‘I’ve played a lot of cricket for England. It just felt the time was right. I’ve done my part.’
Moeen, 37, had already retired from Test cricket, for a second time, after last year’s Ashes, but then took part in England’s World Cup campaigns in India and the Caribbean before committing to the T20 franchise circuit.
‘Playing for England were the best days of my life,’ Moeen said, in an exclusive interview with Mail Sport columnist Nasser Hussain.
‘I could hold on and try to play for England again, but I know in reality I won’t.
Even retiring, I don’t feel it’s because I’m not good enough – I still feel I can play. But I get how things are, and the team needs to evolve into another cycle.
England star Moeen Ali has retired from international cricket across all formats at the age of 37
‘It’s about being real to myself,’ he added.
Along with Moeen, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woaks, and Chris Jordan were also left out of the upcoming home series against Australia.
Instead, captain Jos Buttler and interim white-ball coach Marcus Trescothick have turned to youth, with the T20 selections including the Warwickshire duo of all-rounder Jacob Bethell and batsman Dan Mousley, aged 20 and 23 respectively.
