Moeen Ali hunts for NHS worker whose honey remedy helped cure spinning finger

The England allrounder sustained a horrible blister during the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in June, but is back in the fold after using a special lotion suggested by the worker

Sam Morshead | 18/07/2023 at 08:40

Moeen Ali has launched a search for the NHS worker who sent him a honey-based remedy that helped cure his spinning finger.

The England allrounder sustained a horrible blister during the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in June, with the injury limiting his involvement during Australia's second innings.

He sat out the second game of the series at Lord's but returned for the victory at Headingley, and credited a homemade lotion - an anti-bacterial gel made from Manuka honey - for speeding up his recovery.

"I got home after the Edgbaston Test and a few days later I got a letter from a lady who said her husband is a big fan of mine," he told BBC Sport.

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^{Moeen Ali's spinning finger after the first Test (left) and before the fourth Test (right) [George Dobell]}

"They were watching and saw the gash on my finger and thought the medi-honey would really help me. I tried it and it really healed my finger straight away.

"It's amazing that someone had written to me about this. The only thing I'm really gutted about - I put the letter on the table in my house thinking after the series I will reply, now I can't find the letter.

"I can't remember who it is. If the lady sees this, please get in contact because I really want to write back to say thank you."

Moeen, who was formally retired from Test cricket as recently as six weeks ago, goes into the crunch fourth Test at Old Trafford as England's primary spin option and No.3 batsman, having been elevated to the role following Ollie Pope's shoulder injury.

He is expected to return to red-ball retirement at the conclusion of the Ashes - though England may yet still try to tempt him to stay on for the India tour next February.

The first focus, however, is Old Trafford, where England must win to keep the series alive.

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^{Moeen is in the England XI for Old Trafford [Getty Images]}

"It would be amazing," he said. "I came back to try to win the Ashes.

"My career has always been things just happen and things happen for a reason.

"I never thought I would be in this position. This was my month off, my first month off for ages. I was looking forward to that but this opportunity will never come again.

"I couldn't say no. All of a sudden I'm playing in one of the biggest series since 2005. I've loved it."