The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken disciplinary action against both England and Australia for their slow over rates during the Ashes series. As a consequence, both teams have incurred penalties in the points table of the ICC World Test Championship.
England, who were found guilty of slow over rates in four out of the five Tests, have been docked a total of 19 points. This deduction reflects the seriousness of the offense and serves as a deterrent against future violations. The penalty aims to maintain the integrity and pace of the game, ensuring that matches progress at an acceptable rate.
Similarly, Australia, in the fourth Test, were found to have bowled 10 overs less than the required quota. As a result, they have been fined a maximum of 50% of their match fee. This financial penalty serves as a reminder to teams to adhere to the regulations and fulfill their responsibilities in terms of over rates.
The impact of these penalties is reflected in the current standings of the ICC World Test Championship points table. Australia, despite their strong performance, have lost 10 points due to their slow over rate in the fourth Test. They currently occupy the third position in the table.
England, on the other hand, have suffered a more significant setback, losing 19 points for their slow over rates throughout the series. Consequently, they find themselves in the fifth position in the points table.