Ashes Test series | Only Stokes brought me back to Test cricket, says Moeen Ali

England’s Moeen Ali and Joe Root in training ahead of the Ashes Test series against Australia at Edgbaston. | Image credit: Reuters

Moeen Ali said Ben Stokes was the only England captain who could have persuaded him to retire from Tests.

A one-word message from Stokes after No-1 spinner Jack Leach was ruled out of all five Ashes Tests against Australia was enough to bring slow-bowling all-rounder Moeen back into England’s red-ball line-up.

And Moeen could now return to Test cricket at Edgbaston in his hometown of Birmingham when the Ashes series begins on June 16.

Stokesy sent me a message with a question mark Ashes?,’ Moeen told reporters at Edgbaston on June 13.

Moeen said he had not heard the news about Leach, who has a back injury, and thought Stokes was joking.

Then the news came and I spoke to him,” he said. That was it. Its Ashes. It would be great to be a part of it.

Moeen, who turns 36 on Sunday, last played Test cricket in September 2021.

But his developing relationship with Stokes as the pair teamed up with Chennai Super Kings this year in the Indian Premier League proved the difference.

Asked if there was another captain who could have made him change his mind, Moeen said: Probably not, no.

A powerful batsman as well as an off-spinner, Moeen has played 64 Tests for England, scoring 195 wickets and scoring 2914 runs.

But Australia have proved tough opponents for Moeen as his career bowling average rose from 36.66 to 64.65 in Ashes cricket.

Nevertheless, he said he relishes the chance to be involved as England seek a first Ashes series win since 2015.

The fact that it’s the Ashes and it’s such a big series, it would be amazing to be a part of it,” Moeen said.

England have won 11 of their 13 Tests since Stokes joined forces with coach Brendon McCullum last year and Moeen said he was keen to be part of an exciting brand of cricket.

There are no question marks on the shots you play, which gives me license to play a few more explosive shots.

Even with the ball, he is more on the aggressive side. I know I’m going for a run, but Stokesy also knows there’s some transportation in between. That’s what he cares about.