India vs Australia: Australia lose 4 points in ICC World Test Championships table; fined 40% of match fees for slow over-rate

India vs Australia: Australia lose 4 points in ICC World Test Championships table; fined 40% of match fees for slow over-rate
India celebrate a wicket during the second Test

India defeated Australia in the Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne on Tuesday. To rub salt into the Aussies’ wounds, they also lost 4 points in the ICC World Test Championships (WTC) table and were fined 40% of their match fees for slow over-rate.

The points system for WTC was altered owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The table is now determined by the percentage of points won rather than total points won. Australia was at 83.5% points before the start of the match. After the loss, they are at 77.6% and 326 points. Despite the additional loss of 4 points owing to their over-rate, Australia are still on top in the ranking table.

India is at the second spot in the points table with 72.2% and 390 points. The side gained 30 points after winning the Boxing Day Test match. Although India have more points than Australia, the altered points system calculates percentage of points a team has won out of the total number of points contested. Hence, Australia is ahead of India in the points table.

Australia penalized for slow over-rate

Australia test team
Australia Test Team

The results of the Boxing Day Test match between India and Australia, have had harsh consequences on the Aussies. Not only did Australia lose 4 points in the WTC table but have also been fined 40% of their match fees for slow over-rate.

The Tim Paine-led side was already bearing the wound of a comprehensive 8 wicket loss to India. The fine and the loss of points are just rubbing salt on it. ICC referee David Boon slapped the penalty on the side after they were ruled two overs short of the target over-rate.

Sides are penalised 20% of their match fees and 2 WTC points for every over they fail to bowl in the allotted time. “Paine pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing,” ICC said in a media release.

India and Australia will next clash for the third Test on 7 January with the venue of the same remaining unclear due to the rising COIVD-19 cases in Sydney where the match was scheduled. India’s victory in the Boxing Day Test levelled the score 1-1 in the four-match Test series.

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