India opener Pratika Rawal and the England women’s team were both penalised by the ICC following disciplinary breaches during the first ODI of the three-match series in Southampton, played on Friday. While Rawal was fined for two incidents of avoidable physical contact, the England team was docked a portion of their match fees for a slow over-rate offence.
Rawal, who played a key role in India’s four-wicket victory that gave them a 1-0 lead in the ODI series, was fined 10 per cent of her match fee and handed one demerit point for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The breaches occurred during the 18th and 19th overs of India’s chase.
“The Indian opener was penalised for two separate incidents that took place within a short period of time,” the ICC said in a statement on its website.
“In the 18th over, she made avoidable physical contact with bowler Lauren Filer while taking a single, and after being dismissed in the next over, she made similar avoidable contact with bowler Sophie Ecclestone on her way back to the dressing room,” it added.
This marks Rawal’s first offence in a 24-month period, resulting in the addition of one demerit point to her disciplinary record.
Meanwhile, the ICC also sanctioned the England team after they were found one over short of the required number at the end of the innings, even after time allowances were factored in.
“In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time,” the statement said.
As a result, the England players were each fined five per cent of their match fees for the lapse. The ICC confirmed that both Rawal and England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt accepted the sanctions imposed by match referee Sarah Bartlett, thereby avoiding the need for a formal hearing.
India, buoyed by their recent T20I series triumph, continued their dominance in the limited-overs leg with this opening ODI win.
