In a breach of the ICC code of conduct during the first Ashes Test, England all-rounder Moeen Ali has been fined 25 percent of his match fee and received a demerit point. The incident occurred during the 89th over of Australia’s innings on Day 2 at Edgbaston when Ali was found spraying a drying agent on his bowling hand without seeking permission from the umpires.
The act was deemed a violation of Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which requires players to obtain umpire approval before using any substance on their hands or equipment. It is important to note that match referee Andy Pycroft concluded that Ali used the spray solely to dry his hands and not as an artificial substance to alter the condition of the ball. Had it been the latter, it would have constituted a breach of clause 41.3 of the ICC playing conditions, which pertains to unfair play.
Upon admitting the offense, Moeen Ali accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. As a result, a formal hearing was deemed unnecessary. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the resolution and stated that Ali acknowledged his mistake, leading to the agreed penalty.
