Moeen Ali fined after being caught ‘applying drying agent’ to hand in England vs Australia Ashes Test

Moeen Ali has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee after being caught ‘applying a drying agent’ to his hand.

The ICC confirmed the England spinner had been found guilty of breaching an ICC Code of Conduct.

A statement read: “Ali has been found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct and will be fined 25 per cent of his match fee from the first Ashes Test against Australia.

Moeen 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.

One demerit point has been added to Moeen’s disciplinary record for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. This was the England all-rounder’s first offence in the past 24 months.

“The incident occurred during the 89th over of Australia’s first innings at Edgbaston when Moeen was seen applying a drying agent to his bowling hand at the boundary line while fielding. 

“Moeen 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.”

Ali is playing his first Test match for England since September 2021 after being talked out of retirement by captain Ben Stokes.

He replaced the injured Jack Leach for the first Test of the Ashes series at Edgbaston.

Leach suffered a stress fracture in his back that ruled him out of the five Test series.

Ali took the wickets of Cameron Green and Travis Head on day two of the match.