‘That’s me finished’ – Moeen says no to McCullum’s request to remain on

Moeen retired from Test cricket in September 2021 however made himself obtainable for the Ashes after Jack Leach was identified with a stress fracture. Ben Stokes, England’s captain, despatched him a textual content saying, “Ashes?” and Moeen couldn’t resist the temptation to return, however insisted after the fifth Test: “If Stokesy messages me again, I’m going to delete it.”

He joked that affirmation of the venues for England’s tour to India – with not one of the 5 Tests because of be held within the greater cities within the nation – had performed an element in him recommitting to his retirement, however stated that Stokes and McCullum had been absolutely conscious that he by no means supposed to play past this summer time.

“They knew from the start,” Moeen stated, laughing. “Especially when those India venues came out! Baz asked me again when I had my day off on the second day. I said no. I’m not going [to India]. There’s no way I’m going. That’s me done. It’s nice to finish like this and be part of an amazing day.”

Moeen suffered a groin pressure whereas batting on the primary day of the fifth Test and didn’t subject in Australia’s first innings, however returned to bowl 23 overs of their second, taking 3 for 76 as England squared the collection with a 49-run win on the ultimate day.

“Test cricket is the best cricket,” Moeen stated. “I wish I could rewind time. Although my career has been a bit up and down, I wouldn’t change it. I’ve loved it. I would have regretted it later in life. It was quite daunting, because I’ve never done well against Australia.

“I nonetheless do not imagine I’ve finished that effectively, nevertheless it was nice to complete like this. It was daunting, however I had nothing to lose, it was a free hit. I had a name from Baz and Stokesy, I felt like I used to be bowling alright, however the finger was the one problem. I wasn’t anxious concerning the bowling.”

Moeen said his groin strain was “actual sore” when he initially pulled the muscle, and it remains to be seen how much of a part he plays in the Hundred over the next four weeks, when he is due to captain Birmingham Phoenix.

“It’s one thing referred to as an adductor. I’d by no means heard of it earlier than,” he explained. “It’s solely when I’m working. It’s nice really, as a result of you may get away with being garbage within the subject. Guys are shifting their positions for me to enter the best positions.

“Apparently it settles down quick. Not bowling in the first innings and having a day off allowed me to bowl today. It was real sore at first and I was quite sore [on Monday]. It crossed my mind that I might not be able to bowl, but I knew it was my last day in Test cricket.”