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ICC Fines England, Docks Crucial WTC Points For Slow Over-Rate In Lord’s Test

Sakshi Sharma

Ben Stokes in third Test (Source: AP)Ben Stokes in third Test (Source: AP)

In a significant development following the thrilling third Test between England and India at Lord’s, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined the England team 10 per cent of their match fees and deducted two crucial points from their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) tally due to a slow over-rate.

Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after it was determined that England had fallen two overs short of the required rate, even after time allowances were factored in.

According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for each over their side fails to bowl in the stipulated time. England, having missed the target by two overs, have been handed a 10 per cent deduction.

England Docked Points For Slow over rate 

Further repercussions were felt under Article 16.11.2 of the WTC playing conditions, which dictates that a team loses one WTC point for each over short. Consequently, England saw their WTC points total drop from 24 to 22, reducing their points percentage from 66.67% to 61.11%. 

This change has pushed England down from second to third place on the WTC table, with Sri Lanka moving up into the second spot.

It is important to note that the charge was imposed by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, with third umpire Ahsan Raza and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd also officiating in the match.

The sanction came after a dramatic and hard-fought Test match that went down to the wire. After both teams posted identical first-innings totals, England built a second-innings lead of 192. Despite an early Indian batting collapse, a courageous lower-order effort led by Ravindra Jadeja almost turned the tide. Ultimately, England held their nerve to clinch a nail-biting 22-run victory on the final day.

However, the celebrations were tempered by the disciplinary setback, which could have significant implications for England's campaign in the tightly contested WTC race.