ENGLAND star Moeen Ali has found himself caught-up in an Ashes controversy after being caught on camera breaking the rules.

The 36-year-old was spotted on camera illegally drying his hand with a spray during the clash with Australia.

Ali has now been fined 25 per cent of his match fee and handed one demerit point after admitting to using an unauthorised drying agent on his bowling hand in the first Ashes Test.

In announcing the decision, the International Cricket Council accepted Moeen used the spray to dry his hands and not in an attempt to alter the condition of the ball.

However, its use was in contravention of the umpires’ pre-series instruction of players using anything on their hands without prior approval.

An ICC statement said: “England player Moeen Ali has been fined 25 per cent 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.”

The incident is similar to that of India’s Ravindra Jadeja.

He was accused of cheating back in February after he was spotted applying something to his finger during the Test against Australia.

He later emerged that he had applied a soothing cream to his finger.

But, like Ali, he had not sought the umpire’s permission.

Jadeja was also fined 25 per cent of his match fee. 

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