England has been fined 50% of their match fees and lost 12 points in the ICC World Test Championship standings due to a slow over rate during their 253-run defeat to New Zealand in the Second Test at the Oval.
The team was found to be 12 overs short of the required target, resulting in their standings dropping to seventh place with 38 points. Their points percentage decreased from 34.72 to 26.38. This penalty was enforced by on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Nitin Menon, along with third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd. Joe Root, who captained the team for this match, admitted guilt and accepted the penalties without a formal hearing.
“According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 5% of their match fee for each over not bowled in the allotted time, up to a maximum of 50%,” an ICC media release stated.
“Additionally, Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions states that a team loses one point for each over short. As a result, 12 points have been deducted from England’s total,” the release continued.
England, who ended Day 4 at 182 for 5, were dismissed in under an hour on the morning of Day 5. Root was out first, trapped LBW by Matt Henry, who took all five wickets that day to end with figures of 6 for 29. Combined with his 5 for 80 from the first innings, Henry achieved career-best match figures of 11 for 109, earning him the Player of the Match award.
This victory allowed the Black Caps to level the series 1-1, following England’s dominant win in the first Test at Lord’s by 115 runs. The series decider is set to take place at Trent Bridge starting Thursday, June 25.