Why were England and Australia fined after the first Ashes Test? How much WTC points were they docked?

21-06-2023
4 min read
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Australia defeated England by two wickets in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in what was a thrilling encounter and another example of why this is the greatest rivalry of all in cricket.

Australia avoided a repeat of the 2005 Edgbaston Test and got over the line after England seemed to be the favourites to win, thanks to an unbeaten 55-run stand for the ninth wicket between skipper Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.

However, the two teams have been fined by ICC and they have been penalised with a points deduction, right at the start of the next World Test Championship (WTC) Cycle.

So, why were England and Australia fined and penalised? TSN breaks everything down for you.

MORE: Bet on The Ashes from India here

Why were England and Australia fined? How much were they fined?

England and Australia players received a sanction equal to 40% of their match fees due to slow over rate.

The penalties were imposed by Andy Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees after it was determined that both teams had fallen two overs short of their targets after taking time allowances into account.

There was no need for official hearings because both England's Ben Stokes and Australia's Pat Cummins agreed to the sanctions.

READ: Iceland Cricket take a dig at England following their loss

How many WTC 2025 points were England and Australia docked?

In addition to the match fee fines to the players, the two teams were also handed a two-point deduction from their WTC 2025 points tally, which sees England lie at the bottom of the WTC standings after just one game.

Meanwhile, Australia won 12 points for their win, but they now stand with 10 points in the WTC table following the points deduction.

A report from ICC explained why the two teams were sanctioned and cited the rules in the ICC Code of Conduct.

"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 percent 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, sides are penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, two World Test Championship points will be deducted from both teams’ points total."

ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025 Standings 

  Matches W D L Points % points
Australia 1 1 0 0 10 83.33
Bangladesh 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
India 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
New Zealand 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
Pakistan 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
South Africa 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
Sri Lanka 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
West Indies 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
England 1 0 0 1 -2 -16.67