Was England all-rounder Moeen Ali tampering with the ball during 1st Ashes Test?

The England all-rounder was also handed one demerit point for this suspicious activity he was caught doing on Day 2 of the 1st Ashes Test.

Was Moeen Ali tampering with the ball during 1st Ashes Test? (Image via Sky Sports)

England all-rounder Moeen Ali was fined 25% of his match fee by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching an ICC Code of Conduct during the course of the 1st Ashes Test. 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.

The England all-rounder was also handed one demerit point for this suspicious activity he was caught doing on Day 2 of the 1st Ashes Test. Ali escaped a formal hearing as the all-rounder admitted to the offense and sanction put by Andy Pycroft, the match referee for the first Test.

Ali was caught applying a drying agent to his bowling hand while fielding near the boundary. “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,” said ICC in a release on Sunday.

Also Read: WATCH: Ben Stokes sets strange field for Usman Khawaja, batter falls straight into the trap

Moeen Ali escapes severe penalty

moeen ali ball tampering — Moeen Ali (Image via Twitter)

Moeen Ali escaped a severe penalty which could have ranged from an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, to one or two demerit points. However, as the match referee was satisfied that Ali did not alter the condition of the cricket ball and the cream was applied only to dry his hands, the England all-rounder was fined only 25 percent of his match fee.

Had Ali’s act resulted in a change in the ball’s condition, he would have been guilty of breaching clause 41.3 of the ICC playing conditions – Unfair Play – The Match Ball – Changing its Condition. Such practices where any action of the fielding team results in a change of the condition of the ball come under ball tampering.