West Indies fined for slow over-rate in the Jamaica T20I against India

West Indies enjoyed a massive 9-wicket victory over the Men in Blue in the lone T20I at Jamaica. However, their mirth was short lived as they were fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for maintaining a slow over-rate at Sabina Park on Sunday. The fine was imposed by David Boon of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees after West Indies was ruled to be one over short of its target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

The Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, dictate players to be 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.

Therefore, skipper Carlos Brathwaite was fined 20 per cent of his match fee, while his players received 10 per cent fines. The apex council has also issued a warning to Brathwaite. ICC emphasised that if West Indies commits another minor over-rate breach in a T20I within a span of 12 months of this offence with Brathwaite as captain, it will be deemed a second offence by Brathwaite and he will face a suspension.

Brathwaite pleads guilty

Following the discovery, Brathwaite has pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction. Thus the need for a formal hearing was negated. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Nigel Duguid and Leslie Reifer, third umpire Joe Wilson and fourth umpire Patrick Gustard.

Batting first, India posted 190 on the scoreboard but opener Evin Lewis slammed an unbeaten century to register his second T20I ton. Both his T20I hundreds have come against India. Lewis scored a scintillating 125 off 62 balls which included 6 fours and 12 sixes, to take West Indies home in just 18.3 overs.