England have been penalised by the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) for sustaining a sluggish overrate in the course of the thrilling third Take a look at in opposition to India at Lord’s. As per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Take a look at Championship (WTC) taking part in circumstances, the house facet had been discovered two overs quick after allowances had been taken under consideration, leading to a deduction of two WTC factors and a ten% nice on gamers’ match charges.
The penalty noticed England’s WTC factors cut back from 24 to 22, with their share dropping from 66.67% to 61.11%. Consequently, they slipped from second to 3rd on the WTC desk, with Sri Lanka shifting up. England skipper Ben Stokes accepted the penalty, thereby avoiding a proper listening to. The sanction was finalised by match referee Richie Richardson from the ICC Elite Panel.
Michael Vaughan questions ICC’s sanctioning on England
The choice to penalise solely England didn’t sit properly with former captain Michael Vaughan. Taking to social media platform X (previously Twitter), Vaughan expressed his disappointment and confusion over the ICC’s ruling. He argued that each groups had been equally responsible of poor over charges and questioned why just one facet confronted punishment.
“Let’s be sincere each groups over charges at Lords had been very very poor .. How just one group has been reprimanded is past me,” Vaughan wrote in his put up, sparking recent debate over the consistency in ICC’s utility of overrate guidelines.
Additionally READ: Right here’s the up to date WTC 2025-27 factors desk after England docked two factors for sluggish over charge in Lord’s Take a look at
England lead collection regardless of Lord’s penalty setback
Regardless of the off-field setback, England lead the five-match Take a look at collection 2-1 after clinching a tense 22-run win over India at Lord’s. The Take a look at witnessed quite a few stoppages, together with a number of ball adjustments and accidents, with solely 83 and 75 overs bowled on the primary two days respectively. Rain performed no half within the interruptions, irritating followers and commentators alike.
Whereas India additionally had a below-par overrate, they escaped any sanction — some extent that added gasoline to Vaughan’s frustration. Because the collection strikes to Manchester for the fourth Take a look at on July 23, England will goal to seal the collection, whereas India look to bounce again and degree issues.
Additionally READ: ENG vs IND: Mohammed Siraj shares his first response after India’s heartbreaking loss in Lord’s Take a look at