England all-rounder Moeen Ali has announced his retirement from Test cricket, but will continue to play in limited-overs internationals.
Moeen, 34, scored 2,914 runs and took 195 wickets in 64 Tests, having made his debut against Sri Lanka in 2014.
“I want to play for as long as I can and I just want to enjoy my cricket,” Moeen said.
“I’ve enjoyed Test cricket but that intensity can be too much sometimes and I feel like I’ve done enough of it and I’m happy and content with how I’ve done.”
Moeen added that Test cricket was “better than any other format by far” and “more rewarding” when he was playing well.
In 2017, Moeen became the fifth-fastest player in terms of matches played to reach 2,000 runs and 100 wickets, also taking a hat-trick against South Africa that year to seal a series win at The Oval.
He was part of the 2015 Ashes winning side but struggled during the 2017-18 series in Australia and took a break from cricket after being dropped during the 2019 Ashes at home.
Moeen, who has also played 112 one-day internationals and 38 T20s, has two young children and thanked his family for their support.
“They have all been amazing on my journey, everything I did I did for them,” he said.
“My brothers and my sister, on my bad days they’ve been the first to pick me up and my wife and kids, my wife’s sacrifices and the patience she has, I am really grateful for that.
“My parents are my number one, I feel without their support there is no way I would have made it.”
Moeen also thanked former coach Peter Moores, current head coach Chris Silverwood, former captain Sir Alastair Cook and current skipper Joe Root.
He added that he hoped his Test career will inspire other British Muslims to play for England.
“I’d love one day, in 10 years’ time, somebody to say, ‘Moeen made it easier for me’,” he said.
“There have been guys before me who made it easier, so you hope to open the door for someone else.”
