Cricket Australia close investigation into 'Osama' taunt after failing to discover new evidence

Moeen Ali wrote in his autobiography, recently serialised by The Times, that an unidentified Australian player had called him "Osama" during the Test in Cardiff three years ago

^{Moeen Ali claimed to have been the subject of a racial slur in 2015}

Cricket Australia have closed their investigation into Moeen Ali's claims he was the subject of a racial slur during the 2015 Ashes.

Moeen wrote in his autobiography, recently serialised by The Times, that an unidentified Australian player had called him "Osama" during the Test in Cardiff three years ago.

Cricket Australia announced they would look into the matter, which Moeen had chosen not to pursue at the time, and according to reports Down Under interviews have since taken place with all of the 15 players in the Aussie squad, as well as team management and support staff.

Howeverm with no new evidence forthcoming, the governing body have announced an end to the review.

"We have followed up with the ECB and our team management and confirmed that the incident was investigated at the time, with a response provided to Moeen," a CA spokesman told the Australian media.

^{Moeen said he had been called "Osama" by an Australian player in the Cardiff Ashes Test}

"Moeen elected not to progress the matter any further and we have not been able to ascertain any new additional evidence through our enquiries. As such, the matter is considered closed.

"We take a zero-tolerance approach to remarks of this nature, they have no place in our sport, or in society and any allegations raised with us are treated seriously and respectfully.

"Representatives of our country are expected to uphold a high standard of behaviours and values, and they are fully aware of the consequences should they fail to do this."

In his book, Moeen described how "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".

England coach Trevor Bayliss informed his Australia counterpart Darren Lehmann of the incident and the player in question was approached but denied making the remark, instead claiming he said "take that, part-timer", according to Moeen's account.

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