Usman Khawaja bemused after ICC penalises Australia for slow over-rate

Star opener Usman Khawaja has called into question the decision by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to penalize the Australian team for a slow overrate during the Ashes tournament. Khawaja stated that he could not understand that, despite not having the opportunity to bowl in the second innings in Manchester due to two days of consecutive rain how can the ICC dock 10 World Test Championship (WTC) points for slow over rates?

Khawaja tweeted, "Don't even get the chance to bowl in the second innings at Manchester due to 2 days of rain and @ICC still issue fines and take 10 WTC points of us for slow over rates! That makes a lot of sense..." The tone of irony was quite obvious as he underscored the perplexing nature of the ICC's decision.

Notably, England and Australia men's cricket squads have incurred significant deductions in their World Test Championship points due to penalties imposed for maintaining a slow over-rate during their Ashes 2023 campaign. According to the updated ICC regulations, players from both teams faced a fine amounting to 5 percent of their match fee, and each side had one WTC point



subtracted for each over that fell short of the required count.

As a result of these penalties, England slipped down the World Test Championship points table, now standing in fifth position, trailing behind West Indies. Despite the Ashes series ending in a 2-2 draw, with Australia retaining the Urn, England's team led by Ben Stokes achieved a remarkable 49-run triumph in the final Test at The Oval. This victory denied Australia their first Ashes series win in England since 2001.

Australia had 10 WTC points deducted from their total in the recent Ashes series due to a slow over-rate during the fourth Test at Old Trafford. On the other hand, England lost a combined total of 19 points across four out of the five Tests for failing to meet the required overs quota of 90 per day.

In the World Test Championship, teams earn 12 points for a Test victory, four points for a draw, and no points for a loss. England fell short by two overs in the first Test at Edgbaston, nine overs in the second Test at Lord's, three overs in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, and five overs in the final Test at The Oval.