'Angry' Ben Stokes kicks ICC in the face, refuses to sign 'over-rate sheets'

England National Cricket Team Test skipper Ben Stokes has demanded answers from the International Cricket Council (ICC) following his team was docked of WTC points due to slow over-rate. He said that he hasn't signed an over-rate sheet since Lord's Test in the Ashes and wants the global body to respond on the same.

England National Cricket Team's desire to make it into the final of the ICC World Test Championship took a massive hit despite winning the first Test against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. Ben Stokes' team and the Kiwis were docked some crucial points for slow overrate.

England and New Zealand were docked three World Test Championship (WTC) points with 15% match fee fines for slow over-rate in first Test

Both the England National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team were docked three World Test Championship (WTC) points with 15% match fee fines. Ben Stokes' side is the most affected team in this cycle due to the slow over rate, as they have been docked 22 points in the 2023-25 cycle.

Not only this, the England National Cricket Team lost 19 of the 28 points gained during the 2023 Ashes. After his team was docked points following the first Test against the New Zealand National Cricket Team, Ben Stokes looked in a furious mood and was seen having a long conversation with match referee David Boon.

Even after that, Ben Stokes was seen expressing his disappointment. He took his social media account and called out the International Cricket Council, highlighting that the match was finished even though there were 10 hours of play still left in the game.

I've not signed an over-rate sheet since Lord's in the Ashes just until we hear some communication back from the ICC - Ben Stokes

Ahead of the second Test against New Zealand, Ben Stokes was still fuming over the same. He revealed that he hasn't signed an over-rate sheet and won't be doing it till he hears from the International Cricket Council. Speaking to reporters, he explained:

"I've not signed an over-rate sheet since Lord's in the Ashes just until we hear some communication back from the ICC that we're still waiting for. Captains have to sign over-rate sheets and fines and stuff, but I have said 'no' until I have the conversations. But they still take the fines off you anyway."

I think we need to find a balance and get some understanding - Jacob Oram expresses concerns over slow over-rate

New Zealand National Cricket Team assistant coach Jacob Oram, too, wasn't happy with the slow over-rate penalties. He highlighted how most of the games today produce results and claimed that there is a need to find balance.

"There are results in most Test matches now, and runs are being scored at a frenetic pace, and wickets are falling all over the place; there is a lot of entertainment. If you bowl 90 overs or 85 overs, there is a lot of stuff going on, and I think we need to find a balance and get some understanding."

After the loss in the first Test and the points loss, the New Zealand National Cricket Team were dropped from fourth to fifth in the table of the ICC World Test Championship. While England National Cricket Team are sixth on the table.

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