India vs Australia 2018-19: Australia Fined For Slow Over-Rate

Australia have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during the first T20I against India in Brisbane. The hosts had gone on to win the thrilling game by four runs (DLS method) to take the lead in the three-match series.

The ICC, in a delayed announced, confirmed that all the players have been fined 10 percent of their match fee while skipper Aaron Finch has been fined twice that.

The fine was imposed by match referee Jeff Crowe after Australia were found one over short of their target when time allowance was taken into consideration, in accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Simon Fry and Paul Wilson, third umpire Gerard Abood and fourth umpire Shawn Craig.

Finch pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction. As a result, there was no need of a formal hearing.

If Australia are found guilty of another minor over-rate offence in the next 12 months with Finch as the captain, he will be suspended.

Meanwhile, Australia continue to lead the series 1-0 after persistent rain washed out the second T20I in Melbourne on Friday. The rain arrived heavily in the 19th over of the Australian innings, forcing players to leave. Following that, the players never returned to the field before the umpires called off the game, denying India a chance of levelling the series and Australia an opportunity to win the series.

The abandonment also ended India’s seven-series winning run in T20Is. India can now at best only draw the series. The Men in Blue were well on top before rain played spoilsport.  Right from the start till the rains arrived, India never allowed Australia to score freely. Consequently, Australia were reeling at 132 for 7 at the end of the 19th over.