England have lost 12 World Test Championship points after the ICC ruled that they bowled their overs too slowly in the second Test against New Zealand. The deduction cuts their points percentage from 34.72 to 26.38 and drops them to seventh in the WTC table.
How the penalty was decided
After allowances were factored in, England were found to be 12 overs short of the required rate. The charge was brought by on-field umpires Adrian Holdstock and Nitin Menon, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd. Joe Root, who captained England in the match, pleaded guilty, so no formal hearing was needed.
Under the ICC Code of Conduct, players lose five per cent of their match fee for each over their side is short, with the penalty capped at 50 per cent. In the World Test Championship, a team forfeits one point for every over it falls short, which explains the 12-point loss.
Henry destroys England on the last day
The sanction followed a heavy 253-run defeat. England resumed the final day on 182 for 5 chasing a distant target and were bowled out inside the first hour. Root fell lbw to Matt Henry, who took all five wickets to fall that morning and ended with 6 for 29 in the innings.
Combined with his 5 for 80 in the first innings, Henry finished with 11 for 109, the best match figures of his Test career, and won Player of the Match.
Series level at 1-1
New Zealand levelled the three-Test series after England had won the opener at Lord’s by 115 runs. The decider begins at Trent Bridge on June 25.
