'If Stokes texts me...': CSK star's stunning response on retirement U-turn for India series after England draw Ashes
The CSK star gave a stunning response on his retirement U-turn for the India series after England levelled the Ashes.
A one-word message from England skipper Ben Stokes had lured veteran all-rounder Moeen Ali to come out of Test retirement for the Ashes 2023 against arch-rivals Australia. Moeen had not played a Test match for England after they suffered a defeat at the hands of Team India at The Oval in 2021. Moeen, a white-ball specialist and an integral part of MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), went on to successfully replace spinner Jack Leach in the England squad. In his farewell act, Moeen weaved magic on the final day of what turned out a memorable Ashes 2023.
Moeen bagged three wickets in Australia's 2nd innings as Stokes and Co. upstaged the visitors in Stuart Broad's farewell match to level the Ashes 2-2 at The Oval on Sunday. With Rohit Sharma's India being the next big challenge for the Bazball-friendly England in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), all-rounder Moeen was quizzed about taking another retirement U-turn in the longest format of the game.
'If Ben Stokes texts me, I'll delete it'
Recalling his famous conversation with skipper Stokes, the England all-rounder confirmed that he will not continue playing Test cricket after the Ashes. "That's me done," Moeen told Sky Sports. "If Ben Stokes texts me I'll delete it," he added.
Playing four of the five Test matches in the Ashes series, all-rounder Moeen picked up 9 wickets for England and was promoted to the number three batting position after Ollie Pope suffered an injury midway through the tournament. Moeen himself suffered a groin injury, although the star all-rounder dismissed Travis Head (43), Mitchell Marsh (6) and Pat Cummins (9) in England's 49-run win over Australia. Moeen ends his career with 68 Tests and over 3000 runs, after having made his Test debut against Sri Lanka at Lord's in 2014.
Despite suffering a defeat in the series decider, the Australian side has retained the Ashes. "I think 2-2 generally is a fair reflection of two very, very good teams going at it over a five-match series," England captain Stokes said after the match. "Obviously, Australia being world Test champions leading into this series, the cricket that I think has been on show has been of the highest quality."
