The International Cricket Council (ICC) has penalised England for maintaining a slow over rate during the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India at Lord’s. The Ben Stokes-led side has been fined 10% of their match fee and docked two ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points for falling short by two overs, even after time allowances.
Match referee Richie Richardson, from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel, confirmed the sanctions under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The rule stipulates a five percent match fee fine and one WTC point deduction per over not completed in time.
While England edged India by 22 runs in a dramatic finish on Day 5, the penalty dampens the victory slightly in terms of WTC standings. India were not sanctioned in this Test.
England captain Ben Stokes accepted the charges without contest, avoiding a formal hearing. The ICC said in a statement, “Stokes pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction.”
The on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, along with TV umpire Ahsan Raza and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd, laid the charge following England’s slow over rate.
The points deduction could impact England’s WTC campaign, making over rate compliance even more crucial in the remaining Tests.
