After being fined 12 points for their poor over-rate in Sunday’s crushing loss to New Zealand at The Oval, England’s hopes of making their first appearance in the World Test Championship (WTC) final were dashed.
With a victory of 253 runs over England, who were 12 overs short of the mark, New Zealand levelled the three-Test series. The loss of 12 WTC points will hurt more than the 50% match fee sanction imposed on the home team.
“England interim captain Joe Root admitted the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, eliminating the need for a formal hearing,” the governing International Cricket Council said in a statement.
Although their points percentage decreased from 34.72 to 26.38, England is still ranked seventh in the WTC rankings. Australia and South Africa, who now hold the top two spots in the standings, will compete in the WTC final at Lord’s next year.
In Nottingham, England’s third and final Test against New Zealand will be led by regular captain Ben Stokes. Following a curfew violation at a nightclub in London, quick bowler Gus Atkinson and all-rounder Stokes were suspended from the second Test.
