NZ VS ENG 1st Test: New Zealand, England docked three points each for slow over rate

Christchurch: The race to the World Test Championship (WTC) final has intensified after New Zealand and England were docked three points each for maintaining a slow over-rate in the opening Test of their three-match series.

The path to the WTC final next year in London continues to be full of twists and turns. On Tuesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced sanctions against New Zealand and England for failing to maintain the required over-rate during the series opener in Christchurch. As a result, both teams were fined 15 per cent of their match fees and penalised three crucial WTC competition points, adding another layer of intrigue to the race for the final.

The ICC stated, "New Zealand and England were both found to be three overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration, with sides penalised one point for each over they were found short."

England skipper Ben Stokes and New Zealand captain Tom Latham accepted the charges and the proposed sanctions, negating the need for a formal hearing. (ANI)

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