West Indies fined for slow over-rate in first ODI against India

West Indies players have been fined 80 percent of their match fees for maintaining slow over-rate in the first ODI against India at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday (December 15).

The tourists took 4 hours and 11 minutes as against 3 hours and 30 minutes to bowl their full quota of 50 overs.

ICC match referee David Boon imposed the fine after Kieron Pollard’s side was ruled to be four overs short of its target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

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“In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20% of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. As such, the team have each been fined 80% of their match fee,” the ICC said in a statement.

Cricket expert and commentator Harsha Bhogle took to Twitter to express that dew could be one of the factors for pitch getting slow but it was definitely the case of slow over-rate too.

Dew could be a factor but given the slowness of the surface 287 is a good score. But we have to do something about these over-rates

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 15, 2019

In the usual case, the defaulter is given a chance to put forth their views in a formal hearing. However, the rule was nullified as West Indies skipper Pollard pleaded guilty to the offence after the end of the match and accepted the proposed sanction.

On-field umpires Nitin Menon and Shaun George, third umpire Rodney Tucker and fourth umpire Anil Chaudhary leveled the charge.

West Indies won the match by eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

(With inputs from agencies)