South Africa
South Africa (Credits: Twitter)

Things are just not falling into place for South Africa right now and their miseries have been further compounded after they were penalised heavily for maintaining a  slow over-rate in the just-concluded fourth Test against England in Johannesburg. The hosts were docked of six ICC World Test Championship points and fined 60 per cent of their match fee for  the offence.

South Africa were found three overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration by match referee Andy Pycroft. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Joel Wilson, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth official Allahdien Palekar.

Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

“In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time,” the ICC release clarified. “In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalised two points for each over short.”

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England crush South Africa:

As far as the game is concerned, England continued their winning run and thrashed the beleaguered hosts by 191 runs in the fourth and final Test to win the series 3-1 after losing the first game. Chasing an improbable 466, the Proteas were all out for 274.

After dismissing South Africa openers Pieter Malan and Dean Elgar cheaply, England were frustrated by 98 from Rassie van der Dussen, who added 92 with Faf du Plessis. But both the batsmen were dismissed in successive overs by Ben Stokes and Mark Wood just before tea as England took control. South Africa then lost their last 4 wickets for just 14 runs to lose the game.

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