There were no celebrations for England's much-loved comeback man on this Ashes Sunday on his home Birmingham turf - just a big fine from cricket chiefs, a rare old tonking from Australia's bowlers and a painful spinning finger to nurse.
And for England's hopes of regaining the urn, their front-line spinner's birthday woes could yet pose a major longer-term headache.
The 36-year-old endured a dispiriting morning with his injury-affected bowling being smashed around at Edgbaston just when it was being announced that he'd been docked 25 per cent of his match fee and handed one demerit point for using an unauthorised drying agent on his bowling hand on Saturday.
Deemed as being conduct "contrary to the spirit of cricket", it was set to cost Moeen £3750 ($A7000) in the fine from the ICC as well as a demerit point, the first blemish in the much-lauded sportsman's spotless career.
What may have hurt him rather more, though, were his continuing problems with a sore spinning finger that prompted him to use the "drying agent" in the first place on Saturday.
Instead of having to painfully wipe away sweat with a towel, Moeen decided in the 89th over of Australia's innings to use the drying spray on his bowling hand just before being reintroduced into the attack.
But umpires had prohibited players from using any substance without prior approval, even though the ICC accepted he had not been trying to alter the condition of the ball.
But the use of the spray demonstrated what a problem it's been for Moeen after answering an SOS to come out of a two-year red-ball retirement and replace the injured Jack Leach.
His increased workload has caused a blister on his right index finger, similar to the injury that caused problems on his tour of Australia in 2017-18.
He was clearly still struggling with his release on Sunday, having to leave the field for treatment after four overs in which he mixed a couple of ripping, turning deliveries with some seriously loose stuff, conceding three sixes.
Usman Khawaja struck one blow early, while a waist-high full toss was deposited over the deep midwicket fence by Pat Cummins, who also smashed a straight six three balls later.
Moeen headed to the pavilion for treatment at the end of that over, finishing with 2-147 off his 33 overs, going at 4.4 an over.
His finger problem after such a long break from Test cricket could be a major concern for England, as there is no obvious back-up, certainly not one with anywhere near his experience.
Little wonder the England camp were trying to allay fears about his readiness for the long Ashes haul.
"As far as I'm aware it's fine," reported his teammate Ollie Robinson. "Haven't actually seen it myself, but I think it's fine."
Assistant coach Paul Collingwood had also noted on Saturday evening: "Part and parcel of a spinner's job is they've got to grip the seam and give it a rip.
"All spinners have blisters and calluses on their spinning fingers. He's no different to anybody else."
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