After England were docked points for slow over rate against India in Lord’s Test on Wednesday, former player Michael Vaughan criticized the decision saying that both teams were guilty of the same issue but only one team was reprimanded.
“Let’s be honest both teams over rates at Lords were very very poor .. How only 1 team has been reprimanded is beyond me..,” he posted on X.
England were deemed two overs short of the regulated over-rates at the end of the Test that they eventually by 22 runs in a thrilling Day 5 finish against India to take a series 2-1 lead after three matches.
Let’s be honest both teams over rates at Lords were very very poor .. How only 1 team has been reprimanded is beyond me .. #ENGvsIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 16, 2025
This came under Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, by which a side is penalised one point for each over short, and after time allowances were taken into consideration.
After the deduction, England’s tally in the World Test Championship standings dropped from 24 to 22 out of 36 points, consequently reducing their point percentage from 66.67% to 61.11%.
Consequently, England have slipped to the third spot as former champions Australia remained on top after their 3-0 thumping of West Indies in the Caribbean. Ben Stokes’ men were also levied 10 per cent of their match fees for the offence. “England captain Ben Stokes pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction imposed by Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. Due to this, there was no need of a formal hearing,” an ICC statement read.
On Monday, India lost the 3rd Test at lord’s against England by 22 runs. The visitors had the 5th and final day requiring 135 runs and England having to pick six wickets after setting India a 193-run target. The hosts got four Indian batters out before lunch but were made to work hard for the remaining two wickets in the last two sessions. India were finally all out for 170 and went 1-2 down in the series with the 4th match scheduled for Manchester next week.
