The England Women’s cricket team has been fined 15% of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate during the first T20I against India Women, held earlier this week. The penalty was imposed after the visiting side fell two overs short of the target, even after accounting for standard time allowances. The match, which took place on Friday, saw England suffer a 97-run defeat to India, who dominated in all departments.
Helen Pack, a member of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, levied the sanction under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which deals with minimum over-rate offences. According to ICC regulations, teams are fined five percent of their match fee per over short of the expected number.
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No Formal Hearing as England Captain Accepts Sanction
“There was no requirement for a formal hearing,” the ICC confirmed, as England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt accepted the charge and pled guilty to the offence. The over-rate breach was reported by on-field umpires James Middlebrook and Jacqueline Williams, with third umpire Sue Redfern and fourth umpire Anna Harris also involved in the process.