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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Daniel Moxon

West Indies hit with fine and docked points for slow over rate in England Test draw

West Indies have been fined and docked rankings points for maintaining a slow over rate in their first Test draw against England.

After their battings struggles during The Ashes, England fans were pleasantly surprised to see Joe Root 's side rack up 660 runs across their two innings in Antigua.

It proved to be somewhat in vain, however, as the Windies were able to comfortably hold out for a draw and blunt the attack from the England bowlers.

They were helped a little, however, by their slow over rate during the match which has now been punished by the ICC.

Cricket's governing body announced that West Indies were two overs short of their target, and that umpire Richie Richardson had imposed sanctions.

West Indies have been fined for a slow over rate against England (Getty Images)

As punishment, the team has been fined 40% of its match fee and docked two points in the ICC World Test Championship standings.

That means West Indies have now dropped to eighth in the table, behind Bangladesh.

In a statement, the ICC confirmed that captain Kraigg Brathwaite had pleased guilty to the charge and accepted the punishments handed down on his team.

"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 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time," the statement read.

"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."

West Indies are the third team to be penalised for a slow over rate during the 2021-23 WTC cycle, with India losing three points and England losing 10 so far.

Despite being denied a first Test victory, Root was keen to heap praise on his players.

"I'm really proud of the team today," he said. "From that first hour, we were in a tricky spot, the skill level we've shown, to not panic and get ourselves back in the game, we got better and better.

"Jonny's hundred, Leachy today, I can’t fault the efforts of anyone. On that wicket, extra pace with the reverse is exactly what you want."

The second test begins in Barbados on Wednesday before the series concludes in Grenada from March 24-28.

Can you help underprivileged children experience the joy of cricket? Charity Bat for a Chance donates cricket kit to those most in need and is also fundraising. Find out more here

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