English all-rounder Moeen Ali takes break after missing out on ECB contract

After lighting up the IPL 2019 with a few blistering knocks, the subsequent few months haven't proven to be uncomplicated for Moeen Ali. The English all-rounder had found the going tough in the World Cup and drew criticism for lacking steam with both bat and ball. Ali did not have the tide going in his favour in the recently concluded Ashes either, and was ousted from the team following a poor show in the first Test.

The 32-year-old's Test career has hit an uncertain chord with his decision to take a break from the red-ball format. The news came as Ashley Giles, the Director of England Cricket, on Friday, announced England's list of centrally contracted players for the 2019-20 season. The Worcestershire cricketer would thus not be considered for England's upcoming tours to New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

"It's just to get away from it a little bit. I feel like I want to enjoy my batting and this will give me a bit of a break. "I'm not ruling out playing Test cricket in the future. I've had long chats and thought about it quite a lot. I just want to give myself a bit of time to refresh my batteries and see where it goes after that," Moeen Ali was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Clearing the air on Ali's Test future, Giles said, "He's not retiring, he just wants a little bit of break from Test cricket. For all guys, not just Moeen, it's been a really challenging summer. A World Cup, and Ashes back-to-back has had a massive effect on many of these guys psychologically as much as physically." Giles further stated that Ali has been a great servant of his side and might need a break to freshen up before making a comeback.

The flamboyant left-handed batsman though remains very much in contention to make the cut in white-ball cricket. Ali is also likely to be at the core of England's plans for next year's T20 World Cup in Australia.