Moeen Ali ‘Denies’ the offer of playing tests in India next year made by McCullum
The English all-rounder came out of retirement to play in the Ashes at the request of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum
England’s all-rounder Moeen Ali who came out of retirement for the recently concluded Ashes Series said that he won’t be travelling to India for the test series next year. In the words of the all-rounder “They knew from the start. 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 Ali was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. Ali who was requested by Ben Stokes and England’s test head coach Brendon McCullum to play the Ashes Series obliged the request and played a vital role in England drawing the series 2-2 as the spinner picked up crucial wickets throughout the series that too playing with multiple injuries.
Lion Hearted Effort
Moeen suffered an injury to his spinning finger in the first test which kept him out from the second match. He returned to the team for the third test at Headingley and batted at number three to let Harry Brook bat at his preferred position which resulted in England winning the match to keep the series alive. He suffered a groin injury in the fifth and final test at Old Trafford which made his participation in the match doubtful but Moeen showed courage and batted with an injured leg and bowled a crucial spell on the final day of the match helping England win and draw the series 2-2 denying Australia there first Ashes series win in England since 2001.
Insight into Injury
The all-rounder gave an insight into his injury and also joked that he could get away with one or two lapses in the field as he was playing with an injured leg. Moeen said “It’s something called an adductor. I’d never heard of it before. “It’s only when I’m running. It’s great actually, because you can get away with being rubbish in the field. Guys are moving their positions for me to go into the easiest 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.”
