England Hit Hard: ICC Docks 12 WTC Points After Heavy Oval Loss to New Zealand
Penalty follows 253-run loss to New Zealand, dropping England's points percentage to 26.38 ahead of Nottingham decider.
England, June 22 : England have been penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a slow over rate during the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval, resulting in a 12-point deduction in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings and a hefty fine for players.
The ICC said England were ruled to be 12 overs short of the required rate after time allowances were taken into account. Consequently, the players have been fined 50 per cent of their match fees, while the team has forfeited 12 championship points.
The sanction has reduced England’s tally to 38 points in the WTC table. Although they remain seventh in the standings, their points percentage has fallen sharply from 34.72 to 26.38.
Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over not completed within the stipulated time. In addition, Article 16.11.2 of the World Test Championship playing conditions imposes a one point deduction for each over a team falls short.
The punishment comes on the back of England’s comprehensive 253-run defeat to New Zealand, who wrapped up victory less than an hour into the fifth day after dismissing the hosts for 209 while defending a target of 463.
The result squared the series at 1-1 after England’s victory in the opening Test at Lord’s, setting the stage for a decisive third match in Nottingham beginning on Thursday.
Resuming on 182 for five, England’s hopes of survival were dashed by fast bowler Matt Henry, who claimed the remaining five wickets to finish with innings figures of 6 for 29.
Henry’s overall match return of 11 for 109, following his first-innings haul of 5 for 80, marked the best match figures by a New Zealand bowler against England in Test cricket. The performance also delivered the first 10-wicket match haul of his 35 Test career.
For New Zealand, the triumph was a rare achievement, representing only their seventh Test victory on English soil and just their second win at The Oval since their breakthrough success there in 1999.
