England have been docked 12 World Test Championship points and fined 50 per cent of their match fee after their slow over-rate in the second Test defeat to New Zealand at The Oval.
The ICC confirmed the sanction on 21 June after England were ruled to be 12 overs short of the required rate once time allowances were applied. The punishment lands immediately after New Zealand levelled the three-match series with a 253-run win in London.
Joe Root, standing in as England captain for the match, admitted the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, which means there was no need for a formal hearing. The charge was brought by on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Nitin Menon, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd.
England’s WTC position takes a major hit
The most damaging part of the ruling is the points deduction. The ICC said England remain seventh in the World Test Championship table, but their points percentage has fallen from 34.72 to 26.38.
Under the WTC playing conditions, teams lose one point for each over they are short. The ICC’s code of conduct also fines players five per cent of their match fee per over, capped at 50 per cent.
That leaves England needing a sharp reset before the series decider. Ben Stokes is due back as captain, but the wider issue is now bigger than selection: England cannot afford another avoidable WTC setback after an already bruising Oval defeat, according to the ICC’s official update.
