Australia and England have been penalized for not maintaining the required over-rate during the first Test of the Ashes series at Edgbaston, Birmingham. As a result, the International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed a two-point deduction on both the sides and fined the players 40 percent of their match fee for the offense.
Match referee Andy Pycroft, a member of the ICC Elite Panel, handed out the sanctions after determining that both teams were two overs short of their targets, even after considering time allowances. Australian captain Pat Cummins and his English counterpart Ben Stokes pleaded guilty to the offense, leading to the acceptance of the proposed sanction without the need for formal hearings.
The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Marias Erasmus, third umpire Chris Gaffaney, and fourth umpire Mike Burns. The penalty affects the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 standings that Australia currently leads with 10 points.
Meanwhile, England will have to lose two points when they open their account. Although, Australia initially earned 12 points for their victory in the Test, but the deduction puts them back at 10 points. It’s important to note that the Ashes 2023 marked the beginning of a new WTC cycle.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 percent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, sides are penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, two World Test Championship points will be deducted from both teams’ points total.
It is worth mentioning that in the inaugural season of the WTC, Australia failed to reach the final due to a slow over-rate during a Test match against India in 2020. The lost points ultimately cost them a place in the WTC Final in 2021, with New Zealand emerging as the champions by defeating India.
Speaking of the first Ashes Test, it witnessed an exhilarating comeback by Australia as they successfully chased down 281 runs against the hosts on the final day. Skipper Cummins played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 44 in a crucial 55-run partnership with Nathan Lyon for the ninth wicket. Australia emerged victorious in a thrilling final session.
The two teams will now prepare for the second Test, scheduled at the iconic Lord’s stadium from June 28 onwards.
