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Moeen Ali: Ryan Harris retirement a 'massive blow' for Australia

England all-rounder Moeen Ali says that Ryan Harris's shock retirement just days before the Ashes gets underway is "a shame" for the sport.

Moeen Ali has admitted that England will only benefit from the shock retirement of Australia bowler Ryan Harris in the build-up to next week's Ashes opener.

The 35-year-old was forced to call time on his career on Saturday due to a troublesome knee injury.

Ali believes that the loss of Harris, who was Australia's leading wicket-taker on their last tour in 2013, will prove to be a "massive" blow to the tourists' hopes of tasting success in this year's Ashes series.

"He's obviously a quality bowler and he will be missed in world cricket. It will be a massive loss," the England all-rounder told Sky Sports News. "He's somebody who would have bowled really well in England, we felt, so it's good for us. But it's a shame that he's had to retire."

The first Test gets underway in Cardiff on Wednesday.

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