England set to lose three more WTC points after review over-rate of ruling

World Test Championship

England are set to be docked a further three points on the World Test Championship table after it was revealed they were eight overs behind on the quota for the first Ashes Test.

It was previously announced that England would be docked five WTC points, one for each over they were found to initially have fallen short.

However, it has since emerged they were eight overs short, and will therefore lose three additional points.

The adjusted sanction leaves England with six points after five Tests in the ongoing 2021-23 cycle of the WTC, putting them seventh spot in the table, with a points percentage of 10%.

Having been fined 100 per cent of their match fee, England could not face any additional monetary sanction.

“England were eight overs short (not five overs short as previously announced) but were only fined 100 per cent of their match fee due to the limit,” the ICC said.

“However, the points deduction for penalty overs is not capped and must reflect the actual number of penalty overs a team is short of the minimum requirement as per Clause 16.1.2 of the ICC Playing Conditions, hence they have been penalised one point for each over they were short.”

England punished again

England, who lost the first Ashes Test by nine wickets, were also penalised for poor over-rate in the home series against India in July-August, meaning they’ve now conceded a total of 10 points to slow over-rates.

Sir Alastair Cook advises Rory Burns to consider changing technique

To make matters worse, England find themselves on the ropes in the second Ashes Test as well.

England star Ben Stokes still believes the team can fight back in the Ashes which is also a WTC series.

“It’s been a tough two days obviously, we’ve spent a lot of time out in the field,” said England all-rounder Ben Stokes.

“But we get to turn up tomorrow in the natural light (which) I think most people agree is the easiest and best time to be a batter out in the middle.”

He added: “We don’t believe we’re beaten already.”

Australia lead the Ashes series 1-0 after winning the series opener in Brisbane.

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