The new WTC cycle has started and Pakistan is currently at the top of the points tally as it has clean swept the 2-match test series against Sri Lanka and India is currently at the second spot with one win and one draw in the 2-match test series against West Indies.
The Ashes series was very well fought between Australia and England as they both won 2-2 test matches each and one match ended in a draw but both the teams must be pretty upset because of the penalties which have been imposed on them by the International Cricket Council.
These penalties have been imposed in relation to the slow over-rate offence which Australian and England teams committed in the recently concluded Ashes series. While the Aussies have faced a penalty of 10 points, England has been fined with 19 points because of which the Aussies are on the third spot in the list and England is on the fifth spot, even below West Indies which hasn’t won a test match in this cycle.
New Zealand, Bangladesh and South Africa haven’t played a test match in the new WTC cycle and such heavy penalties have reduced the chances of both the teams of playing the finals to a great extent.
Here is the points table as of 2 August after ICC imposed penalties on both England and Australia:
How the #WTC25 standings look after the Ashes sanctions 📈📉
✍: https://t.co/VGHNWYeMuh pic.twitter.com/rw4FvD7hh9
— ICC (@ICC) August 2, 2023
The social media users and few from cricket fraternity expressed their annoyance over such harsh punishment, here are some reactions:
How the #WTC25 standings look after the Ashes sanctions 📈📉
✍: https://t.co/VGHNWYeMuh pic.twitter.com/rw4FvD7hh9
— ICC (@ICC) August 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/ragnar_14MG/status/1686743134036688896
Hope ICC docks points of other teams for over rate as many times before India vs Pakistan WTC final is confirmed.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) August 2, 2023
ICC penalised both
Eng lost 19 & Aus lost 10 !
Looking at the cycle, I was unsure if we could make it to the final, but the substantial penalties on Eng & Aus may just give us a chance. Also, we will face the brunt in Aus as maintaining the over rate for 5 tests is an uphill task https://t.co/V8uHoZGLTJ— Prithvi (@Puneite_) August 2, 2023
I do think the ICC are going to have to rethink the over rate issue if they want the WTC to have any relevance or integrity. Hard enough as it is to understand the points system. More emphasis on the umpires’ responsibility perhaps. But this situation does not help the game.
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) August 2, 2023
I do get behind the sentiment, but this is slightly too harsh, isn't it? Won't this actively discourage seamer-friendly pitches? I mean just look at it: the WI that couldn't even look India in the eyes in the test series is ahead of England now. Penalty fine but not this harsh!?
— Rehaan Khan 🇵🇸 (@MrRehaanKhan) August 2, 2023
Give 10 bonus points to Aus and Eng for providing a great series instead of cutting their points
— Sunil Singh (@Sunil_1984_) August 2, 2023
Ricky Ponting and Nasser Hussain proposed solutions to curb down slow over-rate in Test cricket 💬
More ➡ https://t.co/WTsKkvLmDV pic.twitter.com/t5Bs5o0gdH
— ICC (@ICC) August 3, 2023
What do you think of the fines imposed by the ICC on Australia and England? Let us know your views.