‘25% fine for this is a bit of 'overspin'’ - Brad Hogg gives his take on Moeen Ali’s Code of Conduct breach

Veteran English all-rounder Moeen Ali was recently found in breach of the Code of Conduct of the ICC (International Cricket Council). In the first Test of the Ashes 2023, Moeen was seen applying a drying agent to his blistered index finger.

However, the application of the drying agent was seen as a breach of the ICC’s Code of Conduct, and Moeen was fined 25% of his match fee. It is also worth noting that the spinner was brought out of retirement specifically for the Ashes series after Jack Leach sustained a lower-back stress fracture.

Reflecting upon the same, former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg took to Twitter to give his take on the situation. Hogg opined that Moeen could have applied the dring agent on his finger inside and then come out to play; however, he did it in the open, which was fair play, and therefore the 25% fine was a bit much. 

"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!" Brad Hogg tweeted.

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

England lose openers early in second innings

Talking about the game, the Aussies put in a mammoth effort with the bat in the first innings. As England declared at 393/8, Australia replied by posting 386 courtesy of opener Usman Khawaja. The 36-year-old scored 141 runs in 321 balls and was the highest run-getter for Australia in the first innings.

Maintaining a slender lead of seven runs in the second innings, England got off to the worst of starts as both openers were unable to make an impact, with Zak Crawley being dismissed for seven while Ben Duckett going back for 19 runs. As Day 4 approaches, Joe Root and Ollie Pope will take as they look to notch up a big target for the visitors.