England won the second Test against India at Lords by 22 runs in the ongoing India vs England Test series 2025. But just after the win, England faced a big setback from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
England has been penalised for a slow over rate, which means they did not bowl their overs fast enough during the match. As a result, the ICC has deducted two points from their World Test Championship (WTC) score and also imposed a fine on the team.
What is Slow Over Rate and Why the Penalty?
In Test cricket, teams must bowl a certain number of overs within a fixed time. If they fail to do so, it is called a slow over rate. According to Article 16.11.2 of the WTC playing conditions, for each over short, one point is cut from the team’s WTC total.
In the Lords Test, England bowled fewer overs than required. After adjusting for allowed delays, the team was still behind the required over count.
Impact on WTC Points Table
Before the penalty, England had 24 points out of 36 in the WTC 2025–27 cycle, giving them a win percentage of 66.67%, which placed them at second position, just behind India.
After the deduction of two points, England’s total fell to 22 points, reducing their win percentage to 61.11%. This pushed them below Sri Lanka, dropping them to third place in the WTC standings.
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This is a big loss for England, as every point is important in the road to the WTC Final.
10% Match Fee Fine Also Imposed
The ICC also imposed a 10% fine on England’s players and support staff for the slow over rate. As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, for every over short, players are fined 5% of their match fee.
England was found short by two overs, so a 10% fine was calculated and applied to each player and staff member.
This rule is made to keep the game moving smoothly and ensure teams finish on time.
Ben Stokes Accepts the Punishment
England’s captain Ben Stokes accepted the mistake and the penalty. There was no formal hearing needed because he agreed with the charges. The match officials who reported the offense were:
- On-field umpires: Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid
- Third umpire: Ahsan Raza
- Fourth umpire: Graham Lloyd
The match referee, Richie Richardson from the ICC Elite Panel, handled the decision.
What This Means Going Forward
This penalty is a warning to all teams, including India, that slow over rates can hurt their WTC campaign, even if they win the match. In close competitions like WTC, losing points can make a big difference in qualifying for the final.
England will now have to make sure they speed up their game in the upcoming Tests against India. Even a small mistake like this can cost teams a place in the final.
Conclusion
England may have won the Lords Test, but the ICC penalty has taken away their second spot in the WTC rankings. Losing two points and paying fines for slow over rate is a major blow. It shows that discipline and time management are just as important as playing well on the field.
Fans and teams will now keep a closer watch on over rates in the remaining matches of the India vs England Test series.
Disclaimer: This article is based on official ICC updates and match reports. Final points and penalty decisions may be updated by the ICC. Please refer to official WTC standings for live rankings.
