England captain Ben Stokes accepted the ICC’s penalty after his team maintained a slow over rate in the third Test against India at Lord’s. The ICC deducted two WTC points and fined the team 10% of their match fees. Meanwhile, India avoided any punishment, even though the game saw multiple stoppages.
England Penalized, India Walk Free
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that England fell two overs short of the target, even after allowing time for unavoidable delays. That triggered automatic penalties under WTC rules—five percent fine per over and one WTC point lost per over.
In total:
- England lost 2 WTC points
- Players were fined 10% of their match fee
India, despite also experiencing delays, received no sanction.
Stokes Pleads Guilty, Accepts Decision
Ben Stokes, who delivered a standout performance with bat and ball, accepted the penalty without protest. The ICC released a statement:
“Stokes pleaded guilty and accepted the proposed sanction. There was no need for a formal hearing.”
Match officials Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid filed the charge. Ahsan Raza (TV umpire) and Graham Lloyd (fourth umpire) also oversaw the Test.
England Clinch Victory but Lose Points
England won the match by 22 runs in a thrilling Day 5 finish. They set India a target of 193, but bowled them out for 170 on a tricky Lord’s pitch.
Ben Stokes claimed three key wickets and bowled 24 overs in India’s second innings. He also made valuable runs in a low-scoring game.
Although England took the 2-1 lead in the series, losing WTC points may hurt their campaign in the long run. With the championship table so tight, every point counts.
Tense Match, Classic Finish
The match turned into a gripping five-day battle. Despite being a classic contest filled with emotion and intensity, both teams struggled with over rates. However, only England faced punishment.
This difference has sparked fan debates about fairness and consistency in enforcing WTC rules.
Manchester Test: The Race Tightens
The fourth Test begins on July 23 in Manchester. Both sides are now chasing more than just a series win. They’re fighting for every World Test Championship point, and for every minute lost.
With just two matches left, England must stay sharp—not only with the ball, but also with time management.
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