‘I’ve done my part’ – Moeen Ali announces retirement from international cricket

Moeen Ali has announced his retirement from international cricket, with the 37-year-old declaring: “I’ve done my part.”

In an interview with the Daily Mail, the spin bowling all-rounder said the decision comes after he was overlooked for England’s forthcoming white-ball series against Australia.

He told the paper: “I’m 37 years old and didn’t get picked for this month’s Australia series.

“I’ve played a lot of cricket for England. It’s time for the next generation, which was also explained to me.

“It felt the time was right. I’ve done my part.”

Moeen played five games in the successful 2019 World Cup campaign and all six as England added the equivalent T20 crown in 2022.

Matthew Mott was sacked as head coach of the limited-overs side last month after disappointing defences of both titles and the appetite for change continued with the removal of Moeen and Jonny Bairstow – two senior men sharing over 400 caps in the formats.

Moeen has been an influential vice-captain to Jos Buttler in recent times but has acknowledged in the past that his international career was winding down.

However, he believes Brendon McCullum taking over the white-ball side in addition to his Test duties will be of benefit to Buttler.

“It helps being someone who has been there and done it. I think it will be great for Jos more than anything, he has so much on his plate with batting and captaining. I think Brendan will take the pressure off Jos and Brendan will take control,” he told Sky Sports.

After 68 Tests, 138 ODIs and 92 T20s for England, Moeen said he still feels like he can compete at the highest level but was “trying to be realistic” about his international future.

“I could hold on and try to play for England again, but I know in reality I won’t,” he told the Mail.

“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. It’s about being real to myself.”

Moeen is one of only five men to take 200 wickets and score 3,000 runs in Tests for England, the others being Ben Stokes, Sir Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff and Stuart Broad. He brought up both landmarks in successive Tests in the 2023 Ashes series.

Reflecting on his international career, Moeen said he was “especially” proud of taking 204 Test wickets, adding: “I’m also proud of getting five Test hundreds.

“It’s only five but it means a lot, especially when I was often down the order.”

Looking ahead, Moeen said he wants to continue playing franchise cricket but ultimately hopes to move into coaching.

“Coaching is something I want to do — I want to be one of the best,” he said. “I can learn a lot from (McCullum).

“I hope people remember me as a free spirit. I played some nice shots and some bad shots, but hopefully people enjoyed watching me.”

Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook described Moeen as “probably the most selfless player to play for England”.

He added on BBC Test Match Special: “He would do anything the team required, probably to the hindrance of his career – he batted from one to eight.

“He was one of the great team-mates.”

Stuart Broad described Moeen as “one of my favourite ever team-mates”, adding on Sky Sports: “He was someone who could make the whole changing room feel relaxed.”