ENG vs WI 2025: West Indies Hit with 5% Match Fee Fine for Slow Over-Rate in First ODI Against England

In the first ODI against England on Thursday, May 29, at Edgbaston in Birmingham, the West Indies were penalised 5% of their match fee for continuing to play at a sluggish over-rate. After time allowances were taken into account, Shai Hope's team was determined to be one over short of the goal, prompting Jeff Crowe of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees to administer the sanction.

Teams are required by ICC regulations to bowl a specific number of overs in a predetermined amount of time. They risk punishment if they don't comply. In this instance, even after providing for additional time because of delays, the West Indies side, captained by Shai Hope, bowled one over less than needed.

ENG vs WI 2025 Slow Over Rate:

The Emirates ICC Elite Panel's Jeff Crowe, the ICC match referee, consequently assessed a five per cent fine on each player's match fee. Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which addresses sluggish over-rate offences, is followed by this penalty. According to the law, each time a team fails to bowl in time, players will be fined five per cent of their match fee.

There was no need for a formal hearing because Hope admitted to the crime and agreed to the suggested punishment. The West Indies team was charged by the on-field umpires Martin Saggers and Kumar Dharmasena, third umpire Adrian Holdstock, and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd.

After the game, captain Shai Hope stated, "We didn't get the early inroads we were after, especially with the new ball... if you don't take wickets, you're going to find yourself playing catch-up. [Plans towards the end?] You've got to back your skills. We pulled the game back quite nicely with Justin and Motie, who controlled the middle. But we let it slip at the back end when we were trying to get them under 350. We've got some work to do."

He concluded by adding, "[On death bowling] It's more down to the execution. Our skill set is there. It's about executing when it really matters. We've got some very inexperienced bowlers, so it's only a matter of time. [Batting struggle?] We have the quality. We've shown that over the last couple of months. 400 is a tough task. We didn't start well in the Powerplay either with the bat and were playing catch-up. You need a very good start and couldn't get one."

Stay connected for more cricket news.