Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg has expressed his disagreement with the ICC’s decision to fine England all-rounder Moeen Ali for breaching the Code of Conduct during the Day 2 of the first Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston on Saturday (June 17). Hogg believes that the 25% fine imposed on Ali is an overspin, suggesting that the punishment is excessive considering the nature of the incident.
Moeen, who was making his return to the Test side after his initial retirement in 2021, 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.
Moeen, battling a callused spinning finger due to his considerable workload already in this match, sprayed his right hand with a drying agent on the boundary before coming on to bowl the 89th over on Saturday.
The ICC released a statement, confirming that they’ve found Moeen guilty of breaching Article 2.20 of the Code of Conduct. The charge was leveled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Marais Erasmus, with support from third umpire Chris Gaffaney and fourth umpire Mike Burns.
“Moeen 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,” ICC said in a media release.
The 35-year-old accepted the level 1 offence under the ICC Code of Conduct and had a quarter of his match fees deducted.
Hogg, through a tweet, expressed disappointment with the ICC’s decision, stating that if Ali had intended to act against the spirit of the game, he could have applied the spray in the dressing room. He believed that the fine was unwarranted since Ali’s actions were aimed at alleviating discomfort caused by a blister and not gaining an unfair advantage.
“25% fine for this is a bit of ‘overspin’ on the issue when you know Moeen was not using it for any other purpose than to prevent his blister getting worse! He could of (have) left the ground repeatedly disguising the spray but did it openly. Fair play given the finger! #Ashes2023,” tweeted Hogg.
25% fine for this is a bit of 'overspin' on the issue when you know Moeen was not using it for any other purpose than to prevent his blister getting worse!
He could of left the ground repeatedly disguising the spray but did it openly.
Fair play given the finger!#Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/RV2KoYtCWt
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) June 19, 2023
