Sri Lanka’s players have been fined 15 per cent of their match fees for a slow over-rate in the first one-day international against England at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, the International Cricket Council said.
The side was ruled three overs short of the required rate once time allowances were taken into account, according to the ICC’s media release.
Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which sets a five per cent fine for every over a side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
Captain Kusal Mendis pleaded guilty and accepted the proposed sanction, so no formal hearing was required. On-field umpires Wayne Knights and Graham Lloyd, third umpire Adrian Holdstock and fourth umpire James Middlebrook laid the charge.
The second such fine this year
It is the second over-rate sanction against a Mendis-led ODI side in four months. In June the team was fined 10 per cent of match fees after being ruled two overs short in the first ODI against West Indies at Sabina Park — a match Sri Lanka won. This one followed a defeat.
Sri Lanka were beaten by 89 runs at the Riverside Ground, bowled out for 176 chasing 266, with Will Jacks taking 5 for 22. England lead the three-match series 1-0.
Second ODI today
The teams meet again at Headingley, Leeds, today, with the match listed for an 11.30 a.m. local start.
Not reported
Neither the ICC nor Hiru gives the rupee or sterling value of the fine, and no suspension points apply — over-rate offences under Article 2.22 carry a financial penalty only.
