England Penalized for Slow Over Rate in Test Against India

England’s cricket team faced repercussions on Wednesday for a slow over rate during their captivating third Test match against India at Lord’s. The penalty includes a deduction of two points from their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) record and a 10 percent reduction in their match fees.

The ICC determined that England was two overs behind the required pace after factoring in time adjustments.

As per ICC World Test Championship rules, a team loses one WTC point for each over they fall short. As a result, England’s WTC points decreased from 24 to 22 out of a potential 36, impacting their point percentage, which fell from 66.67 percent to 61.11 percent.

This deduction caused England to descend from second to third position in the WTC standings, allowing Sri Lanka to ascend to second place.

In addition to the points deduction, the team, led by Ben Stokes, incurred a fine of 10 percent of their match fee, as per the ICC code of conduct for players and support staff.

The code stipulates a five percent fine for each over short of the required rate. Stokes accepted the penalty, avoiding a formal hearing.

The penalties were determined by Richie Richardson from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, following assessments made by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, as well as third umpire Ahsan Raza and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd.

The match was notably competitive, with both teams achieving identical scores in the first innings, setting a balanced stage. England secured a 192-run lead in their second innings, presenting a tough target for India.

Despite an initial setback in their chase, India showcased resilience, especially from Ravindra Jadeja in the lower order.

This effort brought them close to victory, but England maintained composure, securing a 22-run win on the fifth day.