WTC 2023-25 : The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle witnessed a significant shake up as New Zealand and England were penalized three points each for maintaining a slow over rate during the first Test in Christchurch. While England’s WTC campaign is already over, the penalty dealt a severe blow to New Zealand’s chances of making it to the WTC final at Lord’s in 2025.
WTC 2023-25 : New Zealand Out of WTC Final Race? ICC Penalizes Kiwis and England for Slow Over Rate – Updated WTC 2023-25 Points Table
The Penalty: Slow Over Rate Consequences
In the Christchurch Test, both New Zealand and England were found to be three overs short after taking time allowances into account. As per the ICC’s rules:
- 15% of match fees were deducted from both teams.
- Three WTC points were docked for each team.
Captains Tom Latham and Ben Stokes accepted the charges without contest, avoiding a formal hearing. The penalties were imposed by match officials including Ahsan Raza, Rod Tucker, Adrian Holdstock, and Kim Cotton, under the supervision of ICC Elite Panel member David Boon.
Impact on WTC Standings
New Zealand’s Position
Before the penalty:
- Points Percentage (PCT): 54.55%
- Rank: 4th
After the penalty:
- Points Percentage (PCT): 47.92%
- Rank: 5th
New Zealand’s aspirations for a WTC final spot now hang by a thread. To remain in contention:
- They must win their remaining two matches against England.
- Other teams, including Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Australia, must falter in their remaining fixtures.
Even if New Zealand wins their next two matches, their maximum PCT will be 55.36%, far from a guaranteed spot.
England’s Position
England’s penalty does little to change their fate. Already out of the WTC final race, their PCT has dropped from 45.00% to 42.50%, solidifying their position in 6th place on the table.
Updated ICC World Test Championship Points Table
Here’s how the WTC 2023-25 standings look after the penalties:
| Rank | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | Ded. | Points | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 15 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 110 | 61.11% |
| 2 | South Africa | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 64 | 59.26% |
| 3 | Australia | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 90 | 57.69% |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 50.00% |
| 5 | New Zealand | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 47.92% |
| 6 | England | 20 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 22 | 102 | 42.50% |
| 7 | Pakistan | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 40 | 33.33% |
| 8 | West Indies | 10 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 26.67% |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 11 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 33 | 25.00% |
What Does This Mean for New Zealand?
For New Zealand, the road to Lord’s in 2025 is now a steep climb:
- Their fate is no longer entirely in their hands. Even with two victories against England, they must rely on Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Australia losing key matches.
- The penalty has highlighted the importance of maintaining proper over rates, with every point potentially making or breaking a team’s WTC final qualification.
WTC Points Deduction: Rules Recap
The ICC World Test Championship uses strict measures to ensure timely play:
- 1 point is deducted for each over short of the target.
- Slow over-rates also result in match fee fines.
The slow over rate penalties have added an intriguing twist to the ongoing WTC 2023-25 cycle. While New Zealand’s final hopes are on thin ice, the penalties serve as a reminder of how discipline and time management can directly impact a team’s championship aspirations. With the competition heating up, every match and every point will count as teams vie for the coveted final spots at Lord’s in 2025.
FAQs
Why were New Zealand and England penalized?
Both teams were penalized for maintaining a slow over-rate during the first Test in Christchurch
How many points were deducted for the slow over rate?
Both teams were docked 3 points each in the ICC World Test Championship
