<p>England all-rounder Moeen Ali on Monday announced he was retiring from Test cricket to focus on his white-ball career, saying the format's "intensity can be too much sometimes".</p>.<p>The 34-year-old scored five centuries and took 195 wickets in 64 Tests, including a top score of 155 not out and five five-wicket hauls.</p>.<p>But Moeen felt he needed to abandon cricket's longest format to prolong his career and rekindle his love for the game.</p>.<p>"I want to play for as long as I can and just want to enjoy my cricket," he said.</p>.<p>"Test cricket is amazing. When you're having a good day it's better than any other format by far.</p>.<p>"I will miss playing against the best in the world with that feeling of nerves but also knowing with my best ball I could get anyone out.</p>.<p>"I've enjoyed Test cricket but that intensity can be too much sometimes. I feel like I've done enough of it and I'm happy with how I've done."</p>.<p>Moeen began his Test career batting at number six and offering part-time off-spin, scoring a maiden Test century against Sri Lanka at Headingley in 2014.</p>.<p>But his role changed as his improved bowling led England's management to prioritise his off-spin and move him around the batting line-up from opener to number nine.</p>.<p>Moeen finished with 2,914 Test runs at an average of 28.29 but regretted not being more productive with the bat.</p>.<p>"I do feel like my batting was a little bit wasted," he told ESPNcricinfo.</p>.<p>He was named man of the series in England's 3-1 series win against South Africa in 2017, becoming the first cricketer to take 25 wickets and score more than 250 runs in a four-match series.</p>.<p>A key member of the England white ball team that won the 2019 ODI World Cup, Moeen played just one Test in the subsequent Ashes series and lost his central contract.</p>.<p>He made 35 runs and claimed two wickets as vice-captain in his final Test against India at the Oval earlier this month.</p>.<p>Moeen has been credited with inspiring Britain's minority ethnic communities as a practising Muslim sporting a long, bushy beard.</p>.<p>He became the first British Asian since Nasser Hussain in 2003 to captain an England team when he skippered the Twenty20 side against Australia last year.</p>.<p>"There was a bigger purpose for me than just batting and bowling. There was a purpose of trying to inspire others," he added.</p>.<p>"It does take a little spark and hopefully I've provided that. I'd love one day, in 10 years' time, somebody to say, 'Moeen made it easier for me'."</p>.<p>His comments about enjoying cricket come amid fears for the mental well-being of England players, who have lived in bio-secure bubbles during the coronavirus pandemic to allow matches to take place.</p>.<p>Ben Stokes took an indefinite break from all cricket in July to prioritise his mental health and there are fears England's five-Test tour of Australia starting in December will not go ahead if players' families cannot travel.</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here:</strong></p>
<p>England all-rounder Moeen Ali on Monday announced he was retiring from Test cricket to focus on his white-ball career, saying the format's "intensity can be too much sometimes".</p>.<p>The 34-year-old scored five centuries and took 195 wickets in 64 Tests, including a top score of 155 not out and five five-wicket hauls.</p>.<p>But Moeen felt he needed to abandon cricket's longest format to prolong his career and rekindle his love for the game.</p>.<p>"I want to play for as long as I can and just want to enjoy my cricket," he said.</p>.<p>"Test cricket is amazing. When you're having a good day it's better than any other format by far.</p>.<p>"I will miss playing against the best in the world with that feeling of nerves but also knowing with my best ball I could get anyone out.</p>.<p>"I've enjoyed Test cricket but that intensity can be too much sometimes. I feel like I've done enough of it and I'm happy with how I've done."</p>.<p>Moeen began his Test career batting at number six and offering part-time off-spin, scoring a maiden Test century against Sri Lanka at Headingley in 2014.</p>.<p>But his role changed as his improved bowling led England's management to prioritise his off-spin and move him around the batting line-up from opener to number nine.</p>.<p>Moeen finished with 2,914 Test runs at an average of 28.29 but regretted not being more productive with the bat.</p>.<p>"I do feel like my batting was a little bit wasted," he told ESPNcricinfo.</p>.<p>He was named man of the series in England's 3-1 series win against South Africa in 2017, becoming the first cricketer to take 25 wickets and score more than 250 runs in a four-match series.</p>.<p>A key member of the England white ball team that won the 2019 ODI World Cup, Moeen played just one Test in the subsequent Ashes series and lost his central contract.</p>.<p>He made 35 runs and claimed two wickets as vice-captain in his final Test against India at the Oval earlier this month.</p>.<p>Moeen has been credited with inspiring Britain's minority ethnic communities as a practising Muslim sporting a long, bushy beard.</p>.<p>He became the first British Asian since Nasser Hussain in 2003 to captain an England team when he skippered the Twenty20 side against Australia last year.</p>.<p>"There was a bigger purpose for me than just batting and bowling. There was a purpose of trying to inspire others," he added.</p>.<p>"It does take a little spark and hopefully I've provided that. I'd love one day, in 10 years' time, somebody to say, 'Moeen made it easier for me'."</p>.<p>His comments about enjoying cricket come amid fears for the mental well-being of England players, who have lived in bio-secure bubbles during the coronavirus pandemic to allow matches to take place.</p>.<p>Ben Stokes took an indefinite break from all cricket in July to prioritise his mental health and there are fears England's five-Test tour of Australia starting in December will not go ahead if players' families cannot travel.</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here:</strong></p>