England recently faced a World Test Championship points deduction for a slow over rate, sparking a discussion about its impact, with former India coach Ravi Shastri offering his insights.
England Docked Points After Lord’s Win
England secured a thrilling 22-run victory over India in the third Test at Lord’s, but it came at a cost. Ben Stokes’ side was docked two crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points due to their slow over rate during the match.
In addition to the point deduction, England was also fined 10 percent of their match fees. This penalty saw their WTC points tally drop from 24 to 22, a setback despite their win.
The Cost of Slow Over Rates
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri emphasized that these point deductions are far from trivial. Speaking on the ICC review, he recalled how Australia learned this the hard way in the first cycle of the World Test Championship.
Australia had points docked for a slow over rate during their 2020/21 home series against India. This penalty ultimately cost them dearly, as they finished third on the table behind eventual champions New Zealand, missing out on a spot in the final.
Shastri’s Winning Philosophy
While acknowledging the impact of over-rate penalties, Shastri also offered a strategic perspective for England. He believes that while teams must be aware of their over rates, the primary focus should always be on winning matches.
“If you focus on that, then come the last six months, you can probably try and just, get those points or something of that sort,” Shastri advised. He reiterated that consistent victories would largely nullify the effects of minor point deductions.
“You’ve got to win. That is more important. If you keep winning, that won’t matter,” he concluded, stressing the importance of on-field success above all else.
Recap: The Thrilling Lord’s Test
The match that led to England’s penalty was a nail-biter. England snatched a 22-run win to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, but not without a significant challenge from India.
India, chasing a target of 193, collapsed to 82/7 on the final day. However, a stunning resistance from the lower order, anchored by Ravindra Jadeja, saw the last three wickets bat for over 50 overs, pushing the game deep into the second half of the final session.
The thrilling contest ended dramatically when Mohammed Siraj was dismissed by Shoaib Bashir in a somewhat freakish manner, securing England’s hard-fought victory.
- England lost two WTC points and was fined for a slow over rate against India.
- Ravi Shastri highlighted the significance of these deductions, citing Australia’s past experience of missing a WTC final due to similar penalties.
- Despite the deductions, Shastri’s core advice for England is to prioritize winning matches, as consistent victories can outweigh minor point losses.
The series continues to deliver captivating cricket, with every match now holding even more significance for WTC standings.
