Moeen Ali came out of Test retirement to replace injured spinner, Jack Leach

Moeen Ali has come out of Test retirement to replace injured spinner Jack Leach in the Ashes squad after playing the last of his 64 Tests in September 2021. And Brendon McCullum was not the captain and coach of the England Test team.

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Ali, however, was not aware of Leach’s diagnosis at the time

“Probably not, no,” Moeen replied to the question, reported cricket news website ESPNcricinfo. Ali also revealed that when Stokes first asked him to play in the Ashes, he thought it was a joke and replied ‘laughing loudly’. Ali, however, was not aware of Leach’s diagnosis at the time.

It’s the Ashes: to be part of it would be amazing

“Just the fact that it’s the Ashes and it’s such a big series and the exciting cricket the guys have been playing,” Moeen explained. “It’s a kind of era I’d have loved when I was playing. It’s the Ashes: to be part of it would be amazing.

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I got a message and a call from Stokesy and Baz and Keysy

“When I retired I was done and that was the end of playing. But the unfortunate injury to Leachy meant I got a message and a call from Stokesy and Baz and Keysy (Rob Key). So let’s see what happens,” added Ali.

Moeen, however, made it clear that he doesn’t look at this comeback as a career and more like a free hit where he’s not playing for his spot.

“I don’t look at it like a Test career. It is a free hit. I’m not playing for my spot. There’s no pressure, really. There is pressure on the occasion and the game, but I spoke to Baz and he said he’s not bothered about how I perform, which is quite nice.

I (Moeen) want to do well and contribute to winning games

“As an individual, I want to do well and contribute to winning games. All the things I ever wanted to do in Test cricket I’m going to try to do in these games. It could be dangerous, it could be not so dangerous. We’ll see,” said Ali.

The all-rounder also elaborated on how Stokes has told him to be just himself and be on the aggressive side with the ball as well.

There are no question marks over any shots you play – Stokesy (Ben Stoke)

“I spoke to Stokesy about how he talked to batters and he just said, ‘It would be perfect for you and the way you play’. There are no question marks over any shots you play; that gives me license to play a few more rash shots I guess. Even with the ball, he’s more on the aggressive side. I know I’d go for runs but he knows there are also some wicket-taking deliveries in between, which is all he cares about really,” mentioned Ali.