Lord’s victory comes at a heavy price for Ben Stokes’ England, team docked two points for slow over rate

It is season of penalties for both India and England. While Mohammed Siraj was docked match fees for a shoulder barge in the Lord’s Test, now the hosts have been docked two points for maintaining a slow over rate. The action was taken under Article 16.11.2 of the ICC WTC playing conditions, by which, a team is penalised one point for each over short. after taking into consideration, the time allowances.

So, now that means, England are now on 22 points out of 36, reducing point percentage from 66.67% to 61.11%. This could be a big blow to the Ben Stokes led side, which is yet to make a WTC final. Not just that, England in the points table, have slipped to the third position, and Sri Lanka coming to the second spot.

Additionally, the team was also charged 10 per cent of their match fees. Stokes pled guilty of the charges, imposed by match referee Richie Richardson. In short, this offence could come to haunt England later. In the last WTC cycle as well, they were docked a massive 22 points for these repeated offences.

(More to follow)