After taking retirement from Test cricket in September 2021, English cricketer Moeen Ali has decided to return to the Test side for the upcoming Ashes series. As confirmed by the English Cricket Board (ECB), Moeen has been included in the squad for the first two Tests after spinner Jack Leach has been ruled out of Ashes due to a stress fracture in his back.
Moeen Ali stepped back from the Test side at the age of 35 to focus on white-ball cricket. But is now returning after a discussion with coach Brendon McCullum, Test Captain Ben Stokes and Managing Director ECB Rob Key.
Rob Key said that they reach out to Moeen regarding his return to Test cricket. He added that Ali took a few days to think and is now excited to be back on the side. He said that the experience from senior players would benefit the side in Ashes.
Moeen played his first Test in 2014 and has scored 2,914 runs at an average of 28.29 in 64 Tests. He has also picked up 195 wickets as an off-spinner.