The International Cricket Council (ICC) has penalized England and Australia for slow over rates during the recent Ashes series.
England were fined 5 WTC points and 25% of their match fee for being five overs short in the fifth Test at The Oval. Australia were fined 10 WTC points and 50% of their match fee for being 10 overs short in the fourth Test at Manchester. England were also fined 9 WTC points and 45% of their match fee for being nine overs short in the second Test at Lord’s.
The penalties were applied under the revised provisions of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel that relate to minimum over-rate offences. Teams are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over they fail to bowl in the allotted time, with a cap of 50 per cent. They are also docked one World Test Championship point for each over they are short.
The new provisions were applied retrospectively from the start of the third edition of the World Test Championship, so England have also been penalized for slow over rates in the first Test.
The penalties could have a significant impact on both teams’ positions in the World Test Championship standings. England are currently in fifth place, while Australia are in third.
ICC Match Referee David Boon said: “It is important that all teams adhere to the over-rate requirements of the ICC Code of Conduct. Slow over rates can have a significant impact on the game, and it is important that teams are penalized for not meeting the requirements.”
Both England and Australia have accepted the penalties.
