I have played a lot of cricket for England. It’s time for the younger players,” Moeen says.
The experienced player, who competed in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, made this choice after not being selected for the series against Australia.
“I’m 37 years old and wasn’t selected for this month’s Australia series,” Moeen Ali mentioned in an interview with former England captain Nasser Hussain in the Daily Mail.
“I’ve played a lot of cricket for England. It’s time for the next generation, which was also explained to me. It felt like the right moment. I’ve done my part.”
He further noted that he realized the national team is planning to rebuild ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy and the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
“I could hold on and try to play for England again, but I know deep down I won’t,” Moeen said. “Even stepping away, I don’t feel it’s because I’m not capable — I still believe I can play. But I understand how things work, and the team needs to move into a new phase. It’s about being honest with myself.”
The 37-year-old made his international debut in 2014 against the West Indies.
The all-rounder scored 6,678 runs in international cricket and took 366 wickets.
Moeen was part of the teams that won the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup with the senior men’s side.
In addition, the left-handed batter initially focused on batting.
However, through hard work, he became a leading bowler in Test matches.
He ended his Test career with 204 wickets, placing him as the third-highest spinner for England after Derek Underwood (297) and Graeme Swann (255).
Moeen played 68 Tests, 138 ODIs, and 92 T20Is as an all-rounder. He concludes his career with 6,678 runs, eight centuries, 28 fifties, and 366 wickets across all formats. His last international appearance was England’s semi-final loss to India in the T20 World Cup in Guyana.
Regarding his career, Moeen said: “I’m very proud. When you first play for England, you don’t know how many matches you’re going to get. So, to have nearly 300… My early years were focused on Test cricket. Once Morgs [Eoin Morgan] took over the one-day side, that became more enjoyable. But Test cricket is the real deal.”
Currently, Moeen, 37, is set to play his first CPL season in the Caribbean, having signed on as a replacement player for defending champions Guyana Amazon Warriors.
