Moeen had retired from Test cricket after the English summer of 2021, and has not played first-class cricket since. However, he has featured in England’s limited-overs squads, and played as recently as on their Bangladesh tour of March 2023.

Moeen agreed to come out of retirement after discussions with Ben Stokes, Test captain; Brendon McCullum, Test head coach; and Rob Key, managing director of England Men’s Cricket.

Set to turn 36 on June 18, Moeen has played 64 Test matches. He needs 86 runs and five wickets to become the fourth from England (after Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff, and Stuart Broad) and 16th overall to do the 3,000 run-200 wicket double in Test cricket.

“We reached out to Mo early this week about returning to Test cricket. Having had a couple of days to reflect, Mo is excited to join the squad and play Test cricket again. His vast experience, along with his all-round ability, will benefit our Ashes campaign,” said Key. “We wish Mo and the rest of the squad well for the Ashes campaign.”

Moeen is the second Warwickshire cricketer in the squad, along with Chris Woakes.

The England squad will report to Birmingham on June 12, and will begin practice at Edgbaston the day after, for the first Test match at the same venue from June 16.

England squad for 2023 Men’s Ashes: Ben Stokes (c), Ollie Pope (vc & wk), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Matty Potts, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Moeen Ali

Ashes 2023 schedule: Edgbaston, Birmingham (June 16-20); Lord’s, London (June 28-July 2); Headingley, Leeds (July 6-10); Old Trafford, Manchester (July 19-23); Kia Oval, London (July 27-31)