Twitter Reactions ASHES 2023

'CSK walo ki khoon mei hai cheating' - Fans react as Moeen Ali gets fined 25% of match fee for using drying agent

Moeen Ali was fined 25% of his match fee in the first test of Ashes 2023 for applying a drying agent to his bowling hand. Here's more.

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Rohit Kumar
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Moeen Ali, England

Moeen Ali, England (Source: Twitter)

Moeen Ali was caught "applying a drying agent to his bowling hand" during the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, and the Apex Cricket Council has penalised him 25% of his match pay. The Council accepted Moeen's explanation—that the agent was used to test his hands, not to tamper with the ball's condition—after he acknowledged the offence. The on-field umpires did not permit Moeen to use the spray, though.

In a statement, the council said: "Moeen Ali was found to have breached Article 2.20 of the 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 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 Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing."

Moeen Ali is replacing the injured Jack Leach in Ashes 2023

The situation is comparable to that involving Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who was charged with cheating in February after it was discovered that he had applied something to his finger while playing Australia in a Test match. Later, it was discovered that he had used a soothing cream on his finger, but unlike Moeen, he had not asked the umpires' permission. He was therefore penalised 25% of his match money. Although the off-spinner had left Test cricket in 2021, he responded to England captain Ben Stokes' SOS for the Ashes.

First-choice spinner Jack Leach will not play in the series after suffering a stress fracture in his back during England's Pre-Ashes Test against Ireland. Moeen Ali came back from Test retirement to replace Leach in the England squad.

Here’s how fans reacted:

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