WI vs ENG: West Indies fined 40% match fee and 2 WTC points for slow over-rate in 1st Test

The West Indies have been fined 40 per cent of their match fee and penalised two ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate against England in the first Test played in Antigua. Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Kraigg Brathwaite’s side was ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Brathwaite pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Joel Wilson and Gregory Brathwaite, third umpire Nigel Duguid and fourth umpire Leslie Reifer leveled the charge.

WI vs ENG first Test ended in a draw

Meanwhile, the first Test between the two teams ended in a draw with the pitch not responding much on the last couple of days. After opting to bat first, the visitors managed to put up 311 runs on the board in their first innings thanks to Jonny Bairstow’s scintillating ton. West Indies responded well in their first essay with Nkrumah Bonner scoring 123 runs as they managed to take a crucial 64-run lead.

However, England improved significantly in their second essay as Zak Crawley and Joe Root scored terrific tons. They declared their innings on 349/6 setting a target of 286 runs for the home side. However, the Caribbean side didn’t go for the target and both the teams were satisfied with a draw. Bonner was awarded the Player of the Match award for his brilliant ton in the first innings and a defiant knock in the second.