NZ vs ENG 2024: Both teams penalised for slow over rate during first Test

England and New Zealand have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first Test in Christchurch. Both teams have been fined 15 per cent of their match fees and penalised three World Test Championship competition points.

David Boon of the 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.

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.

Santner likely to play second game

Speaking of the upcoming clash of the series, the game is set to be played from December 06, and a win is all what the BlackCaps need desperately to strengthen their WTC finale qualification chances. For this crucial encounter, the hosts might opt to include their star spin-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner in their playing combination, as hinted by head coach Gary Stead.

“That’s the likely big decision to make. I guess Mitch’s (Santner) selection is on the back of what happened in Wellington last (season) with it being very, very spin-friendly. But we will monitor that when we get up there and have a look,” said Stead to reporters in a recent press conference on Monday, December 02.