‘Coming out of retirement in style’ -Fans react as Moeen Ali fined 25% match fees for spraying ‘drying agent’ on hand in Ashes 2023
Joe Root scored an unbeaten 118 for England at Edgbaston.
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Jun 18, 2023 5:15 pm
Moeen Ali (Source: Twitter)
Moeen Ali has already got a sour taste in his comeback Test at the Ashes. Moeen was docked a 25% match fee fine and also handed out a demerit point. This happened after he sprayed a drying agent on his bowling hand” on Day 2 of the Edgbaston Test. Moeen also came under the scanner for not informing the umpires about his act. In the end, he admitted to the offence, and he also accepted the sanction laid down by the match referee Andy Pycroft.
“In reaching his decision to sanction the player, the match referee was satisfied that Ali had used the spray only to dry his hands,” the Cricket Governing Body said. “The spray was not used as an artificial substance on the ball and consequently it had not changed the condition of the ball, which would have been in breach of clause 41.3 of the Cricket Governing Body playing conditions – Unfair Play – The Match Ball – Changing its Condition.” The rule stated.
Moeen Ali replaced Jack Leach at the Ashes because he was ruled out due to lower back stress fracture
It has been a long hiatus for Moeen as he is playing his first red ball match after a gap of nearly two years. Moeen Ali has bowled 33 overs in the Test match so far. The England all-rounder has given away 147 runs and picked up two wickets. Moeen came back in Test cricket after Jack Leach was ruled out of the Ashes due to a lower back stress fracture. Taking about the Edgbaston Test so far things have happened on a pretty even keel.
England declared on 393-8. Joe Root was the one who held the innings together and was the main contributor. The right-hander scored an unbeaten 118 off 152 balls with seven fours and four sixes. Root had wonderful support from his Yorkshire teammate Jonny Bairstow who made a fast run a ball 78 studded with 12 fours. In reply. Australia are 370-6 at the time of writing in the first session of Day 3.
Usman Khawaja has been the bedrock for Australia. The 36-year-old made an unbeaten 140 off 315 balls with 14 fours and three sixes. He had support from Travis Head and Alex Carey both of whom made valuable half-centuries. The cricket so far has been riveting and it remains to be seen as to who will take the lead in this Ashes series.
