WTC points docked

New Zealand and England were penalised three World Test Championship points each for poor over rates during the recently concluded Test match at Christchurch.

England beat New Zealand by eight wickets in the first Test of the three-match series, at Christchurch. Brydon Carse claimed 4-64 and 6-42 and hit an entertaining 33 not out, while Harry Brook made 171 in 197 balls.

England were already eliminated from the race to the 2023-25 WTC final, but despite the defeat, New Zealand were one of the five teams trying to finish in the top two.

After the Test match, on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Rod Tucker, third umpire Adrian Holdstock, and fourth official Kim Cotton found both teams guilty of poor over rates. They were found three overs short of the target “after time allowances were taken into consideration”.

Match referee David Boon subsequently penalised both teams 15 per cent of their match fees and, more significantly, three WTC points. Tom Latham and Ben Stokes, the captains, pleaded guilty to the charges.

As a result, New Zealand were left with 69 points from 12 Test matches – in other words, a PCT of 47.92 (this used to be 50). The most they can attain from here is 55.36 (this used to be 57.14). They are not among the best sides, but there is a chance of the penalty proving to be the difference between a berth in the final and a group-stage finish.

England, meanwhile, dropped from 105 points to 102 after 20 Tests. Their PCT slipped from 43.75 to 42.50. The most they can get to now is 47.72 (and not 48.86).

Both teams will end their respective league stages with the ongoing three-match Test series.

More to follow...

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