Ben Stokes Lured Moeen Ali out of Test Retirement for Ashes 2023
Moeen Ali, an all-rounder spin bowler for England, disclosed the conversation with Test captain Ben Stokes enticed him out of retirement and into the Ashes squad in 2023.
After first-choice spinner Jack Leach was ruled out of all five Ashes Tests against Australia due to a back injury, England captain Stokes used one word to persuade all-rounder Moeen Ali to return to England’s red-ball lineup.
Moeen can now play his first Test since proclaiming his retirement in 2021 if he is selected for England’s Playing XI for the first Ashes Test, which is scheduled to take place at Edgbaston, in his hometown of Birmingham.
“Stokesy messaged me with a question mark — ‘Ashes?’,” Moeen told reporters on Tuesday.
Moeen Ali stated he was oblivious of Jack Leach’s back injury and presumed Stokes was making a joke.
“When the news arrived, I spoke with him,” he explained. “That’s all. These are the ashes. Being a part of it would be incredible.”
Evidently, his developing rapport with Stokes, with whom he was teammates on the Chennai Super Kings during this year’s Indian Premier League, was the deciding factor.
Moeen Ali unhesitatingly responded, “Probably not, no,” when asked if another commander could have persuaded him to come out of retirement.
Moeen also told the media that he is ecstatic to be a part of England’s mission to win its first Ashes series since 2015.
“Being a part of the Ashes, which is such a significant series, would be incredible,” said Moeen.
Since Ben Stokes and Brandon McCullum took over as captains, England has become a formidable force in Tests, winning 11 of 13 matches, and Moeen Ali has expressed his desire to be a part of this thrilling brand of cricket.
“There are no question marks over any of your shots, which I suppose gives me permission to play a few more rash shots.
“Even when he has the ball, he is more combative. I am aware that I aim for runs, but Stokesy is aware that I also deliver wicket-taking deliveries. This is all that he cares about.”
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