The International Cricket Council are reportedly set to change the rules around slow over rates amid a feeling their heavy fines have become too strict.
Under the current guidelines, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fees for every over they are short of the statutory 90 overs-a-day, while teams are docked one World Test Championship point. Those rules saw England players lose their entire £15,000 match fee for the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, while the team lost eight World Test Championship points.
While allowances are made for drinks breaks, injuries, wickets and other disturbances, such as interruptions by Just Stop Oil protestors, it is widely believed the punishment does not fit the crime. The Daily Mail reports that the ICC will be lobbied by unhappy countries at a meeting this week and they are willing to soften their stance.
Countries want a lowering of the cap on over-rate fines from the current rate of 100 per cent, while WTC points deductions will also be discussed. With scoring rates now much higher in the Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum era, it is believed the current rules are too stringent.
Both England and Australia were fined 40 per cent of their match fees and deducted two World Test Championship points for slow over rates at Edgbaston. All 22 players also lost 40 per cent of their match fees, which equates to about £6,000 for Stokes’ players.
And, according to reports in the Australian media, the ICC is considering taking 13 World Test Championship points off Australia for slow over rates in the third Test at Headingley. The issue of slow over rates is not a new one – it has been a rumbling talking point for some time and a balance needs to be found.
After 44 overs were lost in the World Test Championship final between Australia and India earlier in the summer, former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: “Fines don’t work, so runs awarded to the batting team at the end of the days play could be the only way. 20 runs per over.”
The ICC will be told that WTC points deductions are risking the integrity of the competition. For example, Australia claimed 12 points for winning the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, but were then docked two thirds of them for a slow over rate.
Pat Cummins’ side have been repeat offenders, even with Nathan Lyon generally bowling long spells from one end. The Aussie captain often slows the game down to speak to his bowlers and ponder tactical changes.
England brought the score back to 2-1 in the Ashes with a dramatic three-wicket win over Australia at Headingley. They will attempt to build on that momentum when the fourth Test gets underway at Old Trafford on July 19.
