BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom, June 18, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - England off-spinner

Moeen Ali has been fined 25 percent of his match fee and handed one demerit
point for using an unauthorised drying agent on his bowling hand in the first
Ashes Test at Edgbaston, the International Cricket Council announced Sunday.

The ICC accepted Moeen, who is making his Test return after a near two-year
absence, used the spray to merely dry his hands and was not attempting to
alter the condition of the ball.

However, in using the spray, Moeen -- who turned 36 on Sunday -- had
contravened a pre-series instruction telling players they could not put
anything on their hands without the approval of the umpires.

An ICC statement said: "England player Moeen Ali has been fined 25 percent of
his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC code of conduct during the
first Test against Australia in Birmingham on Saturday.

"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.

"In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Ali's disciplinary
record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period."

With England players being paid some o15,000 ($19,000) per Test, Moeen's fine
amounts to o3,750.