England and New Zealand have received over-rate penalties in the World Test Championship following their match in Christchurch. Both teams had points deducted and were fined.
England’s penalty adds to previous deductions, totalling 22 points lost in the 2023-25 cycle. This pushed them further down the World Test Championship standings. New Zealand’s penalty, meanwhile, affects their chances of reaching a second WTC final.
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Both team were docked three points and were fined 15% of their match fees due to slow over-rates.
England captain Ben Stokes expressed his frustration on Instagram. “Good on you ICC. [We] finished the game with 10 hours of play still left.”
England have incurred the most over-rate penalties of any team in the current WTC cycle. Their total deductions now stand at 22 points, significantly higher than any other team. Australia are the next highest with 10 penalty points.
The penalties stem from the ICC’s revised over-rate regulations. Controversy arose after the 2023 Ashes when these rules were implemented.
Previously, penalties applied only to bowling innings exceeding 60 overs, or if a team bowled over 120 overs while dismissing the opposition twice. These limits were raised to 80 and 160 overs, respectively.
The rule change means England were penalised for the Old Trafford Test where they bowled 161.2 overs. They also bowled 165.1 overs at Christchurch. One point is deducted for each over a team falls short of the required rate. Under the old regulations, Australia could have faced more penalties.
Current World Test Championship Standings
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Draw | Penalties | Points | PCT |
| 1 | India | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 110 | 61.11 |
| 2 | South Africa | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 64 | 59.26 |
| 3 | Australia | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 90 | 57.69 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 50.00 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 47.92 |
| 6 | England | 20 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 22 | 102 | 42.50 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 40 | 33.33 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 45 | 31.25 |
| 9 | West Indies | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 24.24 |
Following the penalties and Bangladesh’s win against West Indies, England remain sixth in the WTC standings. They hold 102 points from 20 matches, resulting in a points percentage (PCT) of 42.50.
New Zealand’s penalty has dropped them below Sri Lanka in the standings. Their PCT is now 47.92. The top four contenders for the WTC final appear to be India, South Africa, Australia, and Sri Lanka.
World Test Championship standings without over-rate penalties
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Draw | Points | PCT |
| 1 | Australia | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 100 | 64.10 |
| 2 | India | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 112 | 62.22 |
| 3 | South Africa | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 64 | 59.25 |
| 4 | England | 20 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 124 | 51.66 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 72 | 50.00 |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 60 | 50.00 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 48 | 40.00 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 12 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 48 | 33.33 |
| 9 | West Indies | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 32 | 24.24 |
Without the penalties, the standings would shift significantly. India’s PCT would slightly increase to 62.22, but drop them to second place.
Australia would gain two positions, rising to first place with a significantly improved PCT of 64.10. South Africa would remain in third place with an unchanged PCT.
Sri Lanka, without any over-rate penalties, would maintain a PCT of 50.00. However, they would fall behind England and New Zealand in the hypothetical scenario without penalties. They would also trail significantly in the race for a second-place finish.
England would also benefit if their penalties were removed, but it might not guarantee a WTC final spot. Their PCT would rise from 42.50 to 51.66, placing them fourth.
Despite this improvement, England would still trail South Africa, India, and Australia. While mathematically in contention, they would remain outsiders for a WTC final spot.
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