‘If he knew then he wouldn’t have done it’ – Ricky Ponting on Moeen Ali’s usage of ‘drying agent’ on Day 2 at Edgbaston

Ricky Ponting and Moeen Ali. (Photo Source: Twitter)

England all-rounder Moeen Ali was fined 25% of his match fee as he sprayed a drying agent on his bowling hand near the boundary line during Day 2 of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston. Ali was found breaching 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.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting feels that the England cricketer wasn’t aware of the rule and hence ended up applying the drying agent. He further said that had the cricketer known about the rule, he would not have done that.

“Well he obviously didn’t know the rule. If he knew then he wouldn’t have done it in the middle on the ground (laughs). I was on comms and even I felt that it was antiperspirant that batters use to dry their hands before going out to bat,” Ponting said on SkySports.

Ali seemed to have developed a blister on his right index finger and hence was seen applying the spray. Notably, the 36-year-old came out of retirement to participate in the Ashes 2023 upon a request from England Captain Ben Stokes. He didn’t have a great outing in the first innings of the match as he first scored (18 off 17) and returned with figures of 2/147.

Meanwhile, former England ODI captain Eoin Morgan, who was also present on the panel, gave his thoughts on Ollie Robinson sending off Usman Khawaja (141) after dismissing him on Day 3. The 2019 World Cup-winning skipper said that Robinson is never shy to comment.

Ollie Robinson is never shy on a comment : Eoin Morgan

“Ollie Robinson is never shy. It was probably a month ago in an interview about the Ashes. He was quite direct about how he used the word pummel or run through the Australian top order. So he is never shy on a comment whether it’s on the microphone or on the field. So I am not surprised (about his sledging to Khawaja),” said Morgan.

After the end of the day’s play on Day 3, England are 28/2, leading Australia by 35 runs with Joe Root (0*) and Ollie Pope (0*) at the crease.