England docked crucial World Test Championship points

Jun 15, 2022

England docked crucial World Test Championship points Image

Following England's five-wicket triumph over New Zealand in the second Test at Trent Bridge, the Ben Stokes-led side has been docked significant points from their World Test Championship record. 

After England were ruled to be two overs short of the target, Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees assessed the sanction. 

After their stunning win, England's points tally rose to 42, although they are still in seventh place in the World Test Championship rankings with only 40 points. Their proportion of points scored dropped from 25 to 23.80.

Furthermore, under to Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing regulations, a team is docked one point for each over they fail to complete. As a result, England has been docked two points from their total World Test Championship count. 

According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, England players were penalised 40% of their match fee for the slow over rate. For each over their team fails to bowl in the given time, players are penalised 20% of their match fee.

"Stokes pleaded guilty to the accusations levelled by on-field umpires Michael Gough and Paul Reiffel, third umpire Rod Tucker, and fourth umpire Martin Saggers, and accepted the recommended sanction, thus no formal hearing was required," an ICC statement stated on Wednesday. 

The point deduction dampens what was an incredible victory for England on the final day. When England lost Joe Root and were 56/3 and eventually 93/4 on the final day, it looked like they were going to play for a draw when they were tasked with chasing down 298 in less than three sessions.

Following that, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow steadied the ship and reduced the target to 160 in the last session. Bairstow raced off the rails, smashing a century off just 77 balls and finishing with 136 off 92. 

Stokes, who had a blow to his knee, hobbled and romped his team to victory with an unbeaten 70-ball 75 as England won by five wickets.