Moeen Ali hints at ODI retirement after World Cup
England all-rounder Moeen Ali has hinted he could call time on his one-day international career after the team’s World Cup title defence later this year.
Moeen is already retired from Test cricket and, while the 50-over World Cup in India this autumn is a clear priority, the 35-year-old has floated the idea of subsequently stepping away from the format.
With the likes of Liam Livingstone and Will Jacks offering similar skill-sets as big-hitting batters who also bowl spin, the field is already a busy one.
“I don’t set a lot of goals, but I want to play that World Cup, be a part of that World Cup and hopefully win that World Cup and then we’ll see,” he said ahead of today’s series-ending T20 in Bangladesh.
“I’m not saying I will retire or I’m not saying I won’t retire. Another seven or eight months at 35 is a lot. It could be a time where I’m thinking that’s me done now and I might look at Livingstone and Jacksy and think ‘you know what, my time is up, I’d rather these guys get ready for the next World Cup’.
“I haven’t decided but I have sort of an idea of what I want to try and do. It genuinely makes me really happy when I see players coming in – whatever’s best for us and the side and going to make us champions, that’s more important and that’s the bigger picture really.”
Expanding on the attraction of continuing as T20 specialist, Moeen added: “I think it’s something that’s more logical and just makes more sense. If I’m playing well and playing all the franchise cricket – and playing for England – I don’t see why not.
“Fifty overs does get harder the older you get, it’s not easy to field and for sure it makes sense that I’ll do that.”
Moeen first represented England in 2014, winning over 250 caps across all formats.
