‘Don’t understand so much chatter…’ – Ace India spinner backs Moeen Ali after later charged for using ‘drying agent’ during Ashes 2023 1st Test
Star England allrounder Moeen Ali made a decent comeback to Test cricket with three wickets and 37 runs in the 1st Test of Ashes 2023 against Australia at Edgbaston. However, Moeen made headlines because of his controversial on-field antics. Moeen who clinched wickets of Cameron Green and Travis Head was seen applying a drying agent on his hand while fielding on ropes.
The video of him went viral on social media and people started criticising him. Notably, this was a breach of Article 2.20 of the code of conduct for the players and support staff. However, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh backed Moeen and said that he should have informed umpires about it. “Don’t understand so much chatter around Moen Ali using spray on spinning fingers to numb the pain. The only issue is he should have informed the umpires, but if a batsman gets a blister under the gloves, he gets a spray. Will anyone even notice? Same logic, think about it?” Harbhajan said.
Here’s the Tweet:
Don’t understand so much chatter around Moen Ali using spray on spinning fingers to numb the pain. Only issue is he should have informed the umpires, but if batsman gets a blister under the gloves, and he gets a spray. Will anyone even notice. Same logic, think about it ?…
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 20, 2023
Harbhajan’s reply came after Moeen Ali admitted his mistake and accepted Andy Pycroft’s proposed punishment. On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Marais Erasmus, third umpire Chris Gaffaney, and fourth umpire Mike Burns all filed charges against Moeen. Moeen received one demerit point in his disciplinary record for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. In addition, the Englishman was fined 25% of his match pay from the first Ashes Test against Australia.
England and Australia are penalized for slow over-rate
Following Australia’s victory in the first Ashes Test, Apex Cricket Council fined both teams for maintaining slow over-rate. Notably, according to World Test Championship playing conditions each player from the guilty team was fined 20% match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in time. Sides are also penalized one point for each over short. It’s worth noting that both England and Australia were found two overs short.
This means, Australia will earn only 10 points after beating England in the game while England will earn -2 points after losing the game. All players will be charged 40% of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate. It’s worth noting that, India and Australia were fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during WTC 2021-23 finals at The Oval last week.
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