England docked two points for slow over rate

BBC News

16-07-2025

England have slipped to third in the World Test Championship standings after being docked two points for their slow over rate in the Test victory against India at Lord's. Ben Stokes' side beat India by 22 runs during the third Test on Monday to take a 2-1 series lead. However, England's slow over rate infuriated their opponents. In a five-day Test, 90 overs are scheduled for each day and teams can be punished for failing to bowl 15 overs in an hour. On day two of the Test when India closed 145-3, 72.3 overs were bowled - resulting in 15 overs being lost altogether from the match due to slow play. Match referee Richie Richardson ruled that England, even with time allowances taken into account, were two overs short of the target. Captain Stokes accepted the verdict, with the England team being docked 10% of their match fee as a result."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 five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time," the ICC said in statement.The docked points mean England have dropped from second to third in the World Test Championship standings, with Sri Lanka moving into second.It is not the first time this year England have been punished for their slow over rate.England were docked 22 points during the 2023-25 cycle. Stokes argued his team were at a disadvantage due to their use of pace bowlers - who require longer run-ups. The fourth Test between England and India begins at Lord's on 23 July.
What are the rules?
Ninety overs are scheduled for each day in a five-day Test match. To prevent teams tactically wasting time to ensure a draw, all of the overs must be bowled on the fifth day barring interruptions for the weather but, on the previous days, the overs must be fitted into the six hours of play, with an extra half-hour made available at the end of the day.While time can be made up for overs lost to the weather, there is no such provision when the reason is simply slow play. If overs are not bowled in that time they are lost from the match.There are some penalties already in place in the International Cricket Council's playing conditions but they have a limited impact.An umpire can, after an initial warning, award five penalty runs to an opposition if one team is deemed to be wasting time. This rule has never been enforced in Test cricket.