India have been fined five per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against Australia in their ICC Women’s World Cup league match at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, October 12.
Michell Periera of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction. India were ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
Indian Captain Harmanpreet Kaur accepts sanction for slow rate against Australia
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction. As a result, there was no need for a formal hearing.
On-field umpires Sue Redfern and Nimali Perera, third umpire Kim Cotton and fourth umpire Jacquline Williams leveled the charge.
Slow over-rate offences are taken seriously by the ICC. It ensures that teams maintain the pace of the game and avoid unnecessary delays.
This is not the first time India have faced such a penalty. In previous tournaments too, teams have been fined for similar offences.
The fine will be deducted from the match fees of all the playing members of the Indian team. Such penalties are meant to remind teams to keep up with the required over-rate.
Australia went on to win the match, but the focus also remained on India’s over-rate issue. A slow over-rate can also impact a team’s standing in the tournament if repeated offences occur.
India will now aim to bounce back stronger in their next game. Maintaining the over-rate will be a key area of focus for Harmanpreet Kaur and her team.
