England fined for slow over-rate during 1st Test against Sri Lanka

Alastair Cook can be banned for another over-rate debacle

The England cricket team was fined for maintaining a slow over-rate after the conclusion of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s.

Despite 17 overs being lost in the match, the hosts were fined only over the loss of one over, What would hurt England most was that the visitors Sri Lanka were not sanctioned at all.

The English team will be docked 10% of their total match fees, while the English skipper Alastair Cook will be fined 20% of it. The England captain stands to be banned for a match if his team falls short of the prescribed overs to be bowled in any match in the upcoming 12 months.

On Saturday, England could bowl only 84 overs after being in the field the entire day, and even after the extra half an hour was played. Six overs were again lost on Sunday when both the teams looked to be guilty of slowing things down.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Cook said that the fine was not ideal but pointed out the challenges of having a four-pronged pace attack.

The Test match ended in thrilling fashion as the visitors managed to draw the game after England needed only one wicket to win from the last five deliveries.