England star Ali hints at ODI retirement after 50-over World Cup defence

14 March 2023 , 09:22

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England star Moeen Ali has opened up about his future (Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

England star Moeen Ali has admitted he could retire from ODI cricket after this year's 50-over World Cup.

The all-rounder is currently England's vice-captain in white ball cricket and a trusted lieutenant of skipper Jos Buttler, but Moeen has floated the possibility of retiring from the format to give the likes of Liam Livingstone and Will Jacks more opportunities ahead of 2025 Champions Trophy and the next World Cup in 2027.

"I don't set a lot of goals, but I want to play that World Cup and hopefully win that World Cup and then we'll see," he told talkSPORT. "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."

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Moeen admitted he may decide to become a T20 specialist after the World Cup, explaining that "50 overs does get harder the older you get". He added: "I think it's something that's more logical and just makes more sense.

Moeen helped England win the 50-over World Cup in 2019, but could retire from the format after this year's tournament (Clive Mason/Getty Images)

"If I'm playing well and playing all the franchise cricket – and playing for England – I don't see why not. 50 overs does get harder the older you get. 50 overs is not easy to field and for sure it makes sense that I'll do that. I'm 35 now, I'm not 26.

"I'm at the back end and for me there's more pleasure – obviously I want to play – but if someone's doing really well and they're ready and doing better than me then they deserve to be playing. 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, I'm not always that desperate.

"I love playing cricket and I love playing for England, of course, but it's not the be all and end all and it's never been like that. And that's probably why I've played more than I thought."

Matthew Cooper