Moeen Ali discloses Brendon McCullum talks and is open to England Test return

Moeen Ali retired from Test cricket in September last year but could make a U-turn after initial discussions with new England coach Brendon McCullum

Moeen Ali has revealed he has held talks with Brendon McCullum and is open to an England Test return under the new coach and skipper Ben Stokes.

The 34-year-old called time on his career in the longest format in September after winning 64 caps for his country.

Moeen joined the BBC commentary box for the second day of England’s second Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge on Saturday.

And he admitted he had held talks with Kiwi McCullum – and that the door was open for him to return to the Test arena.

“He [Brendon McCullum] got the job and he messaged me the day after during the IPL and said are you in? He said he will call me on the weekend,” Moeen said. “So we spoke and he said look in future if we need you if there are injuries or a tour in the sub continent etc, are you keen to play?

“He’s a very difficult person to say no to that and I found that very, very hard. He’s very convincing. To be honest, I’d love to play under him and Stokesy. Both of them have that character about them. They’re very aggressive. I think I would suit their cricket a bit more and I think they feel I would suit them as well.”

Moeen, who received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list last week, has 195 Test scalps to his name, with only two spinners – Derek Underwood and Graeme Swann – having taken more wickets for England.

A stylish left-hand bat, he also has five centuries to his name since making his Test bow in 2014.

England will tour Pakistan for the first time in 17 years this winter, with seven T20s and three Test matches scheduled.

Spin will play a huge part and Moeen, whose family originate from Pakistan, could play a huge part if he decides to reverse his retirement from the five-day game.

“We’ve not been there for many, many years. It would be a great tour to be part of, for sure,” he added.