The International Cricket Council announced on Wednesday that Sri Lanka have been fined 15 per cent of their match fee for keeping a slow over-rate during their first ODI against England in Chester-le -Street. After accounting for time allowances during the match at the Riverside Ground on Tuesday, Sri Lanka were determined to be three overs short of the required run rate.
Jeff Crowe, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, concluded that a violation had taken place and subsequently charged the Sri Lanka team. Captain Kusal Mendis admitted the offence and accepted the suggested penalty without dispute, effectively resolving the issue without the need for a formal disciplinary hearing.
The rule specifies that players are penalised five per cent of their match fee for each over their team takes longer than allowed to bowl. Because Sri Lanka were 15 per cent behind the required run rate, the players were fined 15 per cent. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis admitted guilt for the offence and accepted the suggested penalty, eliminating the need for a formal hearing. The charge was filed by on-field umpires Wayne Knights and Graham Lloyd, along with third umpire Adrian Holdstock and fourth official James Middlebrook.
The sanction was applied in accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. This regulation sets a fixed penalty of 5% of the match fee for each over a team fails to complete its innings within the allotted time. Due to Sri Lanka being three overs short after all approved allowances were applied, the individual fines for the players totalled 15% combined.
The time allowances included in the calculation account for specific stoppages beyond a team’s control, including injuries, weather disruptions, and other delays caused by factors outside the fielding side’s influence. The remaining shortfall, after those deductions, is what determines how many overs are subject to penalty. Even after those concessions, Sri Lanka remained three overs behind, confirming the breach and leaving no room to lessen the penalty.
