In a massive blow ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC), England have lost 12 points after their second Test against New Zealand at The Oval for slow over rate. It means the penalty cancels out the 12 points England picked up for their win in the first Test of the series at Lord’s.
After consideration of all relevant time allowances, the England team was deemed to be 12 overs short of its target after having pushed the scoring rate throughout its innings (ICC). Teams cannot fall behind the target by more than one over, as WTC regulations penalize them an extra championship point for each over they lose. Consequently, England saw its points total suffer a big blow at a pivotal moment of the tournament.
Along with the points deduction, the England players have had 50 percent of their match fees fined. Also read: ICC imposes 50% Match fee reduction for over-rate offencesThe ICC’s Code of Conduct also dictates a fine of 5 percent from the player’s match fee per over short with the maximum punishment being capped at 50%. They had received the maximum penalty because fineable overs were NOT allowed once England fell 12 overs behind.
The charge was brought forward by the match officials, including on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Nitin Menon, third umpire Rod Tucker, and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd. England captain Joe Root, who led the side in place of Ben Stokes, admitted the offence and accepted the sanction. As a result, there was no need for a formal hearing, and match referee Andy Pycroft approved the penalty.
Match officials, including on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Nitin Menon, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd had levelled the charge. This was followed by an apology from England captain Joe Root, who filled in for Ben Stokes as skipper, and the sanction being upheld. Hence no formal hearing was required and the penalty was accepted by match referee Andy Pycroft.
With England already reeling from a 253-run defeat to New Zealand in the second Test, the timing of the punishment is especially disappointing. The defeat equals the three-match series at 1-1 with the final match starting at Trent Bridge on June 25.
This deduction saw England drop to seventh in the World Test Championship table with just 38 points accrued from 12 matches, placing them at a percentage of points won (PCT) of 26.39. It is the second slow over-rate penalty England have been slapped with so far in this WTC cycle. This continues a trend that has cost England dear in past championship campaigns, having been deducted two points – which they can ill afford against India at Lord’s in 2025 after winning that Test.
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