Moeen Ali, the England All-rounder, breached the ICC Code of Conduct during the Ashes Test against Australia. Consequently, the authorities fined him 25% of his match fee for violating Article 2.20. It pertains to unsportsmanlike conduct. This incident marks his first offense in the past two years, resulting in one demerit point being added to his record.
The incident took place during the 89th over of Australia’s first innings at Edgbaston. On field umpires Ahsan Raza and Marais Erasmus, along with third umpire Chris Gaffaney and fourth umpire Mike Burns, charged Moeen for applying a drying agent to his bowling hand while fielding near the boundary line. Moeen accepted responsibility for the offense and agreed to the sanction proposed by Match Referee Andy Pycroft.
Upon reviewing the incident, the Match Referee determined that Moeen applied the cream solely for drying his hands and did not employ it as an artificial substance to alter the ball’s condition. Therefore, his actions did not breach clause 41.3 of the ICC playing conditions, which addresses unfair play concerning the match ball.
Level 1 breaches carry penalties that include an official reprimand, a fine of up to 50% of the match fee, and the addition of one or two demerit points.
