• England have been penalised by ICC for maintaining a slow overrate during the thrilling third Test against India.

  • Former captain Michael Vaughan expressed his disappointment and confusion over the ICC’s ruling.

ENG vs IND: Michael Vaughan slams ICC for docking England’s WTC points over slow overrate in Lord’s Test
Michael Vaughan questions ICC for penalising England (Image Source: X)

England have been penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for maintaining a slow overrate during the thrilling third Test against India at Lord’s. As per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) playing conditions, the home side were found two overs short after allowances were taken into account, resulting in a deduction of two WTC points and a 10% fine on players’ match fees.

The penalty saw England’s WTC points reduce from 24 to 22, with their percentage dropping from 66.67% to 61.11%. Consequently, they slipped from second to third on the WTC table, with Sri Lanka moving up. England skipper Ben Stokes accepted the penalty, thereby avoiding a formal hearing. The sanction was finalised by match referee Richie Richardson from the ICC Elite Panel.

Michael Vaughan questions ICC’s sanctioning on England

The decision to penalise only England did not sit well with former captain Michael Vaughan. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Vaughan expressed his disappointment and confusion over the ICC’s ruling. He argued that both teams were equally guilty of poor over rates and questioned why only one side faced punishment.

“Let’s be honest both teams over rates at Lords were very very poor .. How only 1 team has been reprimanded is beyond me,” Vaughan wrote in his post, sparking fresh debate over the consistency in ICC’s application of overrate rules.

Also READ: Here’s the updated WTC 2025-27 points table after England docked two points for slow over rate in Lord’s Test

England lead series despite Lord’s penalty setback

Despite the off-field setback, England lead the five-match Test series 2-1 after clinching a tense 22-run win over India at Lord’s. The Test witnessed numerous stoppages, including multiple ball changes and injuries, with only 83 and 75 overs bowled on the first two days respectively. Rain played no part in the interruptions, frustrating fans and commentators alike.

While India also had a below-par overrate, they escaped any sanction — a point that added fuel to Vaughan’s frustration. As the series moves to Manchester for the fourth Test on July 23, England will aim to seal the series, while India look to bounce back and level things.

Also READ: ENG vs IND: Mohammed Siraj shares his first reaction after India’s heartbreaking loss in Lord’s Test

Subscribe to to watch Exclusive Interviews, Podcasts, Daily News Updates & Explainers.

TAGS:

CATEGORY: England Featured Michael Vaughan Test

For latest cricket news and updates, subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter.

About the Author:
Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at betvisa68.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@betvisa68.com and follow him on , & .