Windies found guilty of slow over rate in two consecutive games

Windies, earlier today slumped to a 240-run defeat in the second Test at Seddon Park and subsequently lost the two-match Test series against New Zealand 2-0. To add to their woes, the visitors have now been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate in the second Test in Hamilton. Stand-in captain, Kraigg Brathwaite has been fined 40 percent of his match fee, while his players have received 20 percent fines, the ICC confirmed.

This is the second straight game in which Windies have been found wanting with their over rate. Regular skipper Holder was suspended for the second Test owing to his team’s poor over-rate during the first Test in Wellington that the hosts won by an innings and 67 runs. The players along with the skipper were imposed with fines after being found three overs short in the first Test.

Apart from the forced suspension, the 26-year-old all-rounder was also fined 60 percent of his match fee, while his teammates had to forgo 30 percent of theirs.

Brathwaite pleads guilty

Match referee, Chris Broad ruled that the visitors were two overs short of their target, and hence imposed the fines. The ICC Code of Conduct, corresponding to minor over-rate offences, dictates that players 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.

The ICC confirmed that there was no need for a formal hearing as Brathwaite pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction. However, the apex committee also added, if Brathwaite, as captain, is found guilty of slow over rate again within a 12-month period, he would be facing a one-match ban too.

Brathwaite took over the captaincy reins for the second Test, but the result nor the over-rate took a turn for the better. The visitors were found two overs short of their target, as they slumped to a loss on the fourth day.