After responding to an SOS from the team’s management, Moeen Ali has rescinded his retirement from Test cricket and been added to England’s Ashes squad. In response to Jack Leach‘s injury, which was discovered to be a lower-back stress fracture after scans were conducted after England’s 10-wicket victory over Ireland at Lord’s, Moeen acknowledged to ESPNcricinfo on Monday night that he had been asked to explore a possible call-up.
He spoke with England’s managing director, coach, and captain, respectively, Brendon McCullum, Rob Key, and the ECB confirmed on Wednesday morning that Moeen had consented to play Test cricket once more. For the opening two Ashes Tests at Edgbaston and Lord’s, he has been added to England’s lineup.
Early this week, we contacted Mo about playing Test cricket once more, Key said. “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 expertise and all-around talent will help our Ashes campaign. We send Mo and the team our best wishes for the Ashes series.”
He’s back! 🙌
Welcome back, Mo! #Ashes 🏴 #ENGvAUS 🇦🇺
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 7, 2023
Since announcing his retirement from Test cricket in September 2021 following England’s series against India, Moeen has not participated in a first-class match. He admitted to struggling to “get in the zone” during that series to ESPNcricinfo at the time, saying: “I just felt like I wasn’t in it.”
Since his retirement, he has won two IPL championships with Chennai Super Kings and the T20 World Cup with England. He has also played for a number of overseas franchises in between his international commitments. Additionally, he went back to his native Warwickshire, where he spent the previous week leading their Vitality Blast team.
However, Moeen has been more receptive to the notion of playing Test cricket since McCullum and Stokes took over a year ago. Last summer, he declared that he would “love” to play under the incoming administration: They both have a lot of aggression, and I believe I would work better for their style of cricket.
