England has been docked 22 points in the World Test Championship due to over-rate penalties, resulting in a fifth-place finish. Ben Stokes’ request for changes to this penalty system has been rejected by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has decided to uphold the current rules that penalize teams failing to bowl an average of 15 overs per hour. The ICC’s decision is disappointing for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), particularly as the next edition of the WTC is set to begin with England’s five-Test series against India in June.
