Slow over-rates costs England and Australia WTC points and match fees
- Heinrich Griessel
- 21 June 2023
England and Australia were fined and deducted WTC points for a slow over-rate in the first Ashes Test.
England and Australia lost two World Test Championship points and 40 per cent of their match fees for a slow over-rate in the Ashes opener.
Despite serving up a breathless finale in Birmingham, where the tourists snatched a two-wicket victory on a see-saw fifth evening, both teams have been punished for failing to get through their overs quickly enough.
Captains Ben Stokes and Pat Cummins pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for formal hearings, the International Cricket Council said.
As the match was the first in the new WTC cycle, that means England's reward for the attacking tactics that moved the game towards its dramatic conclusion despite long rain delays is to sit on minus two in the table.
Australia picked up 12 points for their Cummins-inspired win, so drop back to 10.
All 22 players have also lost 40 per cent of their match fees, which equates to around £6,000 for the English contingent.
