Black Caps' WTC hopes take another hit

New Zealand’s slim hopes of making another World Test Championship final have taken a further hit after the side were docked points for a slow over-rate in the first test defeat in Christchurch.

Both the Black Caps and England were penalised for slow over-rates in England’s eight wicket win - fined 15% of their match fees and penalised three World Test Championship competition points.

New Zealand drop to 47.92% and move down to fifth in the WTC standings behind India (61.11), South Africa (59.26), Australia (57.69) and Sri Lanka (50.00).

Even if the Black Caps win the final two tests in Wellington and Hamilton they can only reach 55.36. They would need a number of results to go their way, the biggest of which is South Africa to lose a home series 2-0 to Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to lose a home series 2-0 to Australia. They would also need either India to win the current series in Australia 4-1, or the hosts to win 3-2 or better.

That’s not factoring in slow-over rates for other teams which would also work in New Zealand’s favour.

David Boon of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after both Ben Stokes and Tom Latham’s sides were ruled to be three overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

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 5% of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short.

The Elite Panel of Match Referees do not factor in that the test ended with a day to spare.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission