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WTC Final: The race to make it to the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 final to be held at Lord’s next year has taken a new turn as New Zealand and England have been fined for slow over-rate in the first Test of the series between the two in Christchurch. Both teams have been deducted three crucial WTC points.
New Zealand’s hope to enter the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) suffered a jolt. Kiwi lost three points on account of a slow over-rate in the match against England played at Christchurch and so fell to the fifth spot in the points table.
This was the report coming from the ICC on Tuesday. New Zealand losing their points is an indirect blessing for India, who at present are leading the pack with 61.11 percent points.
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What is the new equation for the WTC final now?
New Zealand now has 47.92 percent points and can increase its points to a maximum of 55.36 percent even if it wins the remaining two matches against England. South Africa (59.26 percent points), Australia (57.26 percent points) and Sri Lanka (50 percent points) are in second, third and fourth positions respectively.
Can New Zealand still reach the final?
Despite the eight-wicket win at Hagley Oval, England is already out of the race to make it to the WTC final. Losing points, however, is a setback for New Zealand, which has slipped from fourth to fifth place.
If New Zealand, the winner of the first World Test Championship, wants to make it to the final to be held in June 2025, then apart from winning both the remaining Tests against England, it will also have to hope for many other results to be in its favor.
There was no need for a hearing on the charge
Both New Zealand and England had bowled three overs short of the allotted time, considering the lost time, and were penalized one point for each over short of the time. Both the captains, Tom Latham of New Zealand and Ben Stokes of England, accepted the offense and the proposed penalty, so there was no requirement for a formal hearing.
Leveling charges filed by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Rod Tucker, with third umpire Adrian Holdstock and fourth umpire Kim Cotton, a fine has been imposed by the David Boon of Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.
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