England’s WTC Final dream derailed as ICC slaps 12-Point penalty for slow over-rate in 2nd Test

The England cricket team lost the second Test match played at the Oval to New Zealand by a massive margin of 253 runs. With this loss, the series is now evenly poised at 1-1, going into the final game of the series at Trent Bridge, which begins on Thursday. To make matters worse, Joe Root’s side was hit with a 12-point penalty by the ICC for maintaining a slow over-rate during the game.

Cricket’s apex body stated that England were a dozen overs short of the prescribed target, with several time allowances also being considered. Not just that, English players have been docked half their match fee as well. After the latest reversal, the England cricket team is now seventh in the table with 38 points from 12 games, with a win percentage of 26.39. New Zealand are 4th with 40 points from five games with a win percentage of 66.67.

International Cricket Council put out a statement which 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 each over their team fails to bowl within the allotted time, with the maximum penalty capped at 50 per cent of the match fee.”

Ben Stokes back as captain of England for final Test match

Meanwhile, the home team were quick to announce the return of Ben Stokes as the captain for the third and final Test match in Nottingham. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson has also come back into the team after the duo were allegedly involved in a brawl post the win in the first Test at Lord’s.

James Rew and Sonny Baker, who made their English bow at the Oval, have been dropped. Jordan Cox has managed to keep his place in the side. Ollie Robinson is also back in the team after missing the Oval Test due to fitness issues.

England squad for final Test vs NZ

Ben Stokes (C), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra ArcherGus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Emilio Gay, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue