Birmingham’s own Moeen Ali announces retirement from Test match cricket

All rounder Moeen Ali has announced his retirement from Test cricket.

Ali, who is from Birmingham and played for Warwickshire until he moved to Worcestershire in 2007, scored over 2,900 runs in 64 test matches at an average of 28.

He scored five centuries and 14 half centuries for England, with a high score of 155 not out at Chester-le-Street in a match against Sri Lanka.

He came to be an integral member of the side with the ball too, with his right arm off spin claiming 195 wickets.

Ali took five wickets or more in an innings on five occasions, with his best return coming in July 2017 at Lord’s against South Africa.

With South Africa chasing 331 runs to win, Ali led the English bowling attack in an onslaught, bowling the tourists out for just 119.

Ali claimed figures of 6-53 including the wicket of South Africa captain Dean Elgar.

Ali finished with 10 wickets in the match, having picked up 4-59 in the South African first innings.

During this same match, Ali became the fifth fastest player to reach 2,000 runs and 200 wickets in test cricket.

He will focus on the white ball format of the game, and look to build on some memorable performances over recent years.