Moeen Ali open to England Test return

Moeen Ali has told Brendon McCullum he is willing to come out of retirement and has said this winter’s Test series in Pakistan would be a great “tour to be part of.”

Moeen said he would “love” to play under McCullum and captain Ben Stokes citing their positive approach to Test cricket, giving the clearest indication yet he will reverse his decision to retire.

Moeen retired from Test cricket at the end of last summer after becoming worn down by the format and decided to concentrate on white ball cricket, playing ODIs and T20 for England as well as franchise T20 leagues.

But one of McCullum’s first moves in his new role as head coach of the Test team was to contact Moeen and ask if he is willing to make a comeback to boost England’s spin bowling options with an historic tour to Pakistan in December in mind, their first Test cricket there since 2005.

“I’m keen. It is one of those tours where in terms of history, we’ve not been there for many years, and it would be a great tour to be part of. It is a possibility. I am a big one for never say never so let’s see what happens,” he told BBC’s Test Match Special at Trent Bridge on Saturday morning.

Moeen has 195 Test wickets and 2,914 runs, just short of joining an illustrious club of all-rounders. Only Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff have taken 200 Test wickets and scored 3,000 runs.

Moeen played under McCullum when he was captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and is close to Stokes. He said this morning he believes their leadership and approach to Test cricket suits his game. Moeen never really looked happy playing under Alastair Cook and Joe Root, two captains who were often criticised for their handling of spin bowlers. 

If Moeen makes a comeback it is more likely