Follow UsEngland’s returning all-rounder Moeen Ali has been fined 25% of his match fee for breaching an International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct during the Three Lions’ first Ashes Test against Australia.
The incident occurred in the 89th over when the off-spinner was spotted spraying a drying agent on his bowling hand at the boundary line before he came out to bowl. The off-spinner defied the umpire’s pre-series instruction.
According to ICC’s release, “Ali was found to have breached Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to displaying conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.”
“Ali admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing,” ICC further added.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
The ICC insisted that the spray did not change the condition of the ball, which would have resulted in breach of clause 41.3 of the ICC playing conditions – Unfair Play – The Match Ball – Changing its Condition.