New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: Visitors fined by the ICC for slow over-rate in the first ODI

Sri Lanka have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate in their 45-run loss against New Zealand in the first One-Day International in Mount Maunganui on Thursday. Richie Richardson of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fine after Lasith Malinga’s side was ruled to be one over short of their target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 percent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As such, Malinga has been fined 20 percent of his match fee, while his players have received 10 percent fines. If Sri Lanka commit another minor over-rate breach in an ODI within 12 months of this offence with Malinga as captain, it will be deemed a second offence by Malinga and he will face a suspension.

Malinga pleaded guilty to the offence after the end of the match and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Chris Brown and Paul Wilson, third umpire Richard Illingworth and fourth umpire Shaun Haig.

Visitors fall short in a spirited chase

Sri Lanka couldn’t start 2019 on an auspicious note as they lost the first ODI against the Kiwis by 45 runs. In reply to 372-run target, they got off to a blistering start with Niroshan Dickwella taking on the opposition bowling attack. He added 119 runs with Danushka Gunathilaka for the first wicket. But once they were dismissed, the middle-order floundered apart from Kusal Perera.

He kept them in the hunt single-handedly and slammed a century as well. But the regular fall of wickets from the other ends didn’t help the island nation as they were eventually bowled out for 326 runs.

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