Ben Stokes has hit out at the ICC after England and New Zealand were punished for slow over rates in the sides’ opening contest in Christchurch.
Both teams were penalised three points, with players fined 15 per cent of their match fees, meaning England have now been docked a total of 22 World Test Championship points across the 2023-25 cycle.
The Black Caps, meanwhile, sunk from fourth to fifth in the table as a result of the decision, further damaging their hopes of reaching next year’s final following their loss to England at Hagley Oval – which came inside four days.
‘David Boon of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after both Ben Stokes and Tom Latham’s sides were ruled to be three overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration,’ an ICC statement read.
‘In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
‘In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short.
‘Both captains pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Rod Tucker, third umpire Adrian Holdstock and fourth official Kim Cotton levelled the charges.’
The second Test of England’s three-match series with New Zealand gets underway in Wellington on Thursday and the tourists have announced an unchanged XI for the match.
Ollie Pope will keep the gloves after Jordan Cox broke his thumb and Jacob Bethell has been retained at No.3 following his fine performance with the bat last time out.
Ollie Robinson of Durham had been called up as cover at wicket-keeper but England have decided against switching up their side after their emphatic eight-wicket victory.
Ahead of the Test, England captain Stokes took to Instagram to make his feelings clear on the punishment that had been handed down to both teams.
‘Good on you ICC,’ Stokes wrote along with three shrugging emojis.
‘Finished the game with 10 overs of play still left.’
There had been fears over Stokes’ fitness after the Durham man fell awkwardly while diving for a catch, later complaining of ‘stiffness’ in his back.
But the inspirational 33-year-old all-rounder was quick to shake off these concerns and is ‘raring to go’ once again.
‘I think the body is going to be good for this outing. I’ve not spent that much time out in the middle for a long time,’ Stokes explained, with England looking to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series over the coming days.
‘I hurt my back diving for a ball on day one as well. It was more management than anything else.
‘With where we were in the game, it didn’t feel necessary to eke out any more balls than I needed to.
‘I think the body is going to be good for this outing and I’m raring to go for Wellington.’
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