DUBAI: England have been penalized two crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for slow over-rate in the second Test against New Zealand.
Richie Richardson of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after England were found to be two overs short of the target, announced the governing body of cricket.
Besides losing the crucial points, the players were also fined 40 percent of their match fees, in accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct for Players.
England’s points tally in the WTC standings rose to 42 after the phenomenal victory yesterday but has now reduced to 40 points. Their point percentage also took a toll, which reduced to 23.80 from 25. The team is currently placed at the 8th spot in the standings.
According to Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalized one point for each over short. Resultantly, England lost two points from their total tally.
England clinched an epic victory against New Zealand on the final day as the hosts pulled off a dramatic chase of 299 runs, thanks to the blistering knocks by Jonny Bairstow and skipper Ben Stokes.
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