AUS vs ENG: It Was Frustrating! Usman Khawaja Reveals He Advised ICC To Change Over-Rate Penalties

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja revealed that he spoke to International Cricket Council (ICC) about changing the over-rate penalties in Tests. Usman Khawaja also said that it was frustrating as a player to lose so much money in fines due to slow over-rates.

Recently, ICC revised rules for over-rate penalties in Tests. Earlier, teams were fined almost 80 percent of match fees for slow over-rates. Now, there is a maximum penalty of 50 percent. Also, over-rate penalty for innings less than 80 overs has been removed. In the earlier rules, it was less than 60 overs.

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For instance, Indian players were fined 100 percent of their match fees during ICC World Test Championship final 2023. Australia were fined 80 percent of their match fees in the match. As a result, their prize money of US$ 1.6 million for winning the ICC WTC title was reduced to a large extent.

Also Read: Ashes 2023: “I Wouldn’t Want My Kids To Be Around That” – Usman Khawaja Lashes Out At England Fans’ Behaviour

I Was Pretty Frustrated With What Was Happening: Usman Khawaja

While speaking to Cricket.com.au, Australia opener Usman Khawaja revealed that he intervened with ICC over the rules and advised them to revise them. He said as an Australian Cricketers’ Association Board member, he thought to talk to ICC about it.

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“I was pretty frustrated with what was happening. I’m an ACA (Australian Cricketers’ Association) Board member … and just thought someone has to find a way to speak to the ICC about it. We had played three games and they’d been three really good games with results, entertainment, the WTC (final) was the highest-watched Test match ever or something like that”, Usman Khawaja said.

“Just really good stuff – and we were getting fined 80 per cent of our match fee. It’s a lot of money. Just really frustrating as a player. You are giving it your all out there, providing entertainment, then you are getting stung for it. Just felt like I needed to speak and Wasim was really good,” the left-handed batsman further added.

Australia and England were also fined 40 percent of their match fees for slow over-rates in the opening Ashes 2023 Test at Edgbaston. In addition, both teams have also lost 2 points in ICC WTC 2023-25 points table. ICC is yet to reveal fines for the 2nd and 3rd Tests of Ashes 2023.

Also Read: Ashes 2023: Usman Khawaja Hails David Warner As “One Of The Greatest Openers Of All Time” In Australia’s History

It’s The Conditions That Make It Hard For Us: Usman Khawaja

Usman Khawaja also noted that conditions play a big role in over-rates. He said that while playing in India, teams manage to follow over-rates due to the use of two spinners.

“We are trying to go as fast as we can. It’s the conditions that make it hard for us. If you are in India we are never behind the over-rate (with) two spinners going at it. We were getting results, that’s what was frustrating. I think England were frustrated with it, too.

Wasim Khan actually listening to the players, getting the feedback and finding the compromise, it’s the first time I’ve been involved that something like that has happened at ICC”, Khawaja, who is the leading run-getter in Ashes 2023 series, further said.

Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja will be next seen in England vs Australia 4th Test in Ashes 2023. With 356 runs in 3 Tests so far, the left-handed batsman is the best performer in the series. At an average of 59.33, Khawaja has also hit 1 century and 3 half-centuries in Ashes 2023.

Also Read: AUS vs ENG: “Kick Them Out,” MCC To Permanently Ban Lord’s Members For Spat With Usman Khawaja- Reports

England vs Australia 4th Test of Ashes 2023 begins on July 19. The venue of the match is Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester. Australia lead the series 2-1 after three games. They need one more win to grab the Ashes urn.

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