Vitality Blast captain Moeen Ali returns to England for Ashes series

Performance Director Gavin Larsen has congratulated Moeen Ali on his unexpected recall to the England Test side after the Club’s T20 captain agreed to come out of international retirement for this summer’s Ashes.

matc

2023-06-07T09:54:48.000Z

Ali – who called time on his 64-Test red ball career two years ago – was offered the chance to return to the international fold after spinner Jack Leach was diagnosed with a stress fracture to his back.

And last night the 35-year-old – who signed a three-year deal with the Bears last year – informed the Club and the ECB of his decision.

Ali is still expected to captain the Bears in Vitality Blast action tonight (7 June) at home to the Derbyshire Falcons and is also available for Friday night’s home clash with Northants Steelbacks.

But he will team up with the England camp at the weekend and is expected to miss the remainder of the Blast season.

Larsen – who played 129 times for New Zealand – understands the lure of England is a hard one to turn down but said he accepts some Bears’ fans will be disappointed at the move.

“It’s the Ashes, the biggest stage in world cricket,” said Larsen, “and with that first Test on home soil here at Edgbaston. That’s a heady mix and one that would be hard for anyone to say no to.

“I know fans were looking forward to having a player of Mo’s quality and stature leading our T20 push for the whole season – but I hope, like me, they can appreciate why Mo has made this decision.”

Ali reversed his decision following discussions with Test Captain Ben Stokes, Test Head Coach Brendon McCullum and Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket Rob Key.

He’s has scored 2,914 Test runs and has 195 wickets at Test level. He will celebrate his 36th birthday during the first Test at Edgbaston on 18 June.