Ashes 2023Moeen Ali and other bizarre comebacks to Test cricket

By Sabyasachi Chowdhury“It’s been a good journey. But during the India series I felt like I was done, to be honest. I felt good, the atmosphere felt good, the dressing room etcetera, but cricketing-wise, I found it a struggle to get in the zone, bowling and batting and in the field. And the more I tried, I just couldn’t do it.”

“I was thinking about the Ashes and how I would love to have gone back and done well there. But it’s such a long trip if I’m not ‘in it’ and I think it’d be very, very difficult. And if I felt like I did against India when I was out there, then I would probably retire after one match. So it’s done.”

Back in 2021, Moeen Ali was done and dusted as far as his Test career was concerned, physically and mentally. From being in and out of the team since his debut back in June 2014, Moeen played 64 Test matches out of the 95 that England took part in.

Moeen’s decision was understandable as he averaged only 18.85 with the bat in hand in 2021. The lack of motivation was palpable from the numbers he generated, especially with the bat in hand. The home series against India in 2021 was the saturation point for Moeen in his Test career.

Back then, had Moeen been asked about coming out of retirement, he would probably have laughed it off or replied with a cheeky remark. But then, it’s hard to predict what’s in store for the future. Or should we say life gives us a second chance for redemption?

Moeen Ali has his chance now

Time for redemption

Moeen Ali’s comeback to Test cricket would have come as a surprise to many. It’s not because he is coming out of retirement, but because of the fact that he hasn’t played any form of first-class cricket for nearly two years. The fourth Test against England at the Kennington Oval in London back in September 2021 happened to be his last first-class game.

On Wednesday, June 14, England took a bold call. In the first Test of a series as big as the Ashes, Moeen was included in their playing XI. They had Chris Woakes and Dan Lawrence to choose from as they both are in the scheme of things at the first-class level.

But England had other ideas. The rub of the green favoured Moeen after left-arm spinner Jack Leach was ruled out due to a lower back stress fracture. Leach happened to be England’s only spin-bowling option and England picked Moeen as his apt replacement.

The 35-year-old Moeen has played a total of 198 first-class matches where he scored 11334 runs with 20 centuries and 69 half-centuries. Having also picked up 382 wickets, it’s hard to question his credentials in red and pink ball cricket.

But the question is, can he blend into England’s style of cricket that they have adopted over the last 12 months, popularly termed as Bazball?

There is, however, clarity. England, Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum have given him the licence to play “a few more rash shots” than usual.

“I spoke to Stokesy (Ben Stokes) 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 and that gives me licence to play a few more rash shots I guess,” Moeen said.

A text that changed everything

Stokes was aware of the development surrounding Leach and the void it could leave in the English line-up had the latter not played. Hence, he took his chance, more in hope than in conviction, and texted Moeen, saying “Ashes?”

As mentioned earlier, Moeen did laugh it off, replying “lol” (laughing out loud). Moeen said that he would “probably not” have responded in the affirmative had anyone other than Stokes contacted him. It was a case of the right person contacting probably the right person at the right time.

As far as comebacks are concerned, Moeen can take heart from Ajinkya Rahane, who was arguably India’s standout batter in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 final against Australia at the Kennington Oval in London.

Not the first bizarre comeback for England

Moeen Ali isn’t among the only surprising comebacks England cricket has witnessed over the years. Gareth Batty made his comeback at the age of 39 after losing his place in the team following England’s home Tests against Bangladesh in 2005.

In 2016, Batty played a Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram, followed by a match against India at the PCA Stadium in Mohali. Liam Plunkett also gave his Test career a new lease of life after making a move from Durham to Yorkshire.

Moeen will be 37 years old midway through the Edgbaston Test. With England having a settled top 7, especially after the Lord’s Test against Ireland, it’s unlikely for Moeen to bat higher in the order. But against a power-packed Australian bowling attack, Moeen may end up playing a role bigger than what is expected of him.

It’s not known where Moeen’s career in first-class cricket will head after the Ashes. But now, he has a chance to finish his career on a high, unlike 2021 when poor form forced him to retire, if he wants to pull the curtains down on his Test journey, once and for all after the five-match series.