England Fined For Maintaining Slow Over-Rate In The First T20I Against Australia

England might have escaped with a two-run victory over Australia; however, they got themselves in a little bit of trouble. They maintained a slow over-rate against their arch-rivals in the first T20 international in Southampton, for which the players have to pay 20 per cent of their match fees. The second T20 international takes place on Sunday at the same venue.

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Chris Broad, a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, slapped the sanction after Eoin Morgan’s men were found one over short of the target. The time allowances also came into consideration while imposing the fine. According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which is concerned with minimum over-rate offences, players have to pay 20 per cent of match fees for every over their side fails to deliver in the stipulated time.

Eoin Morgan accepted the sanction and pleaded guilty to the offence; therefore, there existed no formal hearing. On-field umpires Martin Saggers and Alex Wharf, third umpire David Millns and fourth umpire Mike Burns imposed the charge.

England aim to seal the series on Sunday:

When the players take the field on Sunday, the hosts will do everything in their player to seal the three-match rubber and climb to the top of T20I rankings. Dawid Malan’s 66 was pivotal in England reaching a stiff total of 162 before which Jos Buttler gave them a brisk start.

Australian openers David Warner and Aaron Finch added 98 runs for the opening wicket; however, the middle-order could not keep their nerves and complete the chase. Warner, who top-scored with 58, perished in the 16th over. Tom Curran managed to defend 15 in the final over as Marcus Stoinis fell short of scoring two more runs for the tourists.

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