Cricket Australia responds to Moeen Ali’s claims that he was called ‘Osama’ during 2015 Ashes

ENGLAND all-rounder Moeen Ali has made the bold claim he was called ‘Osama’ by an Australian player during the 2015 Ashes — an allegation Cricket Australia is taking ‘very seriously’.

England's Moeen Ali reactsafter bowling to India's Ajinkya Rahane during play on the fourth day of the 4th cricket test match between England and India at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, England, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018. England and India are playing a 5 test series. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

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CRICKET Australia has immediately gone to the England Cricket Board over allegations from star Moeen Ali that an Australian player called him “Osama” during a Test in 2015.

No official complaint was made to match officials at the time, however, Moeen has claimed in his just-released autobiography that England coach Trevor Bayliss did go to his counterpart Darren Lehmann about the alleged exchange.

“Remarks of this nature are unacceptable and have no place in our sport, or in society,” said a Cricket Australia spokesman.

Moeen Ali (C) alleges the sledge took place during the 2015 Ashes. Picture: Getty

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“We have a clear set of values and behaviours that comes with representing our country.

“We take this matter very seriously, and are following up with the ECB as a matter of urgency to seek further clarification around the alleged incident.”

Then Australian captain Michael Clarke said yesterday he was never told about any issue and no complaint was lodged with the match referee.

Moeen Ali has teed off on Australia’s on-field behaviour in his autobiography. Picture: AP

Moeen has a detailed passage in his book about the alleged comment.

“An Australian player had turned to me on the field and said: ‘Take that, Osama’. I could not believe what I had heard. I remember going really red. I have never been so angry on a cricket field.

“Lehmann asked the player: ‘Did you call Moeen ‘Osama’?’ He denied it, saying: ‘No, I said, ‘Take that you part-timer’.’

“I must say I was amused when I heard that for there is a world of difference between the words ‘Osama’ and ‘part-timer’.

“Although I couldn’t have mistaken ‘part-timer’ for ‘Osama’, obviously I had to take the player’s word for it, though for the rest of the match I was angry.”

Former Australian coach Darren Lehmann allegedly spoke to England counterpart Trevor Bayliss about the exchange. Picture: Getty

Moeen said the Australian player sought him out at the end of the series.

“He came up to me and said, ‘I know what you thought I said, but I didn’t say that. I’ve got Muslim friends and some of my best friends are Muslims.’

“I did not argue with him. But I was so clear that is what he said. Why should I invent it out of the blue? I’ve got nothing against him. I have never had any fights with him before. I did not even know the guy.

“And I thought his denial was a standard response.”

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