The England cricket team slipped to third position in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 table on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) after being docked two points. This sanction came for maintaining a slow over rate during the third Test against India at Lord's, a match England won by 22 runs on Monday. Ben Stokes's side also received a 10 per cent fine on their match fee. This penalty affects England's WTC campaign.
ICC Sanction: Rules and Application
Match referee Richie Richardson imposed the penalty after ruling England two overs short of the target rate, even after officials considered all time allowances. India currently stand fourth in the WTC table. The International Cricket Council (ICC) released a statement explaining the sanctions.
It stated: "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 added, "As per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, two World Test Championship points have been deducted from England's points total."
WTC Standings: Current Impact
England's tally in the World Test Championship standings dropped from 24 to 22 points, out of a possible 36. Their point percentage (PCT) fell from 66.67 per cent to 61.11 per cent. Consequently, Sri Lanka, with a 66.67 PCT, have now overtaken England to secure second place. Australia lead the WTC table with a 100 per cent record, having won all three of their games so far. India hold a 33.33 PCT.
Captain Ben Stokes' Response
England captain Ben Stokes pleaded guilty to the over-rate offence. He accepted the proposed sanction, meaning no formal hearing was needed. On-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, along with third umpire Ahsan Raza and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd, levelled the charge.
Despite the penalty, Stokes’s on-field performance was impressive; he received the Player of the Match award for his all-round contribution, which included bowling 24 overs and claiming three important wickets in the final innings. The third Test at Lord’s saw high drama, with both teams posting identical first-innings scores.
England set India a fourth-innings target of 193. India, after an initial collapse, were buoyed by a spirited lower-order fight led by Ravindra Jadeja but ultimately fell short, losing by 22 runs.
England's Historical Penalties, Future Outlook
England have been notably affected by over-rate penalties in recent WTC cycles, previously losing 22 points in 2023-25 and 12 points in 2021-23. Such repeated penalties underscore their implications for championship standings. Managing director of men's cricket Rob Key previously lobbied for less severe repercussions, but unsuccessfully.
Every WTC point matters in a tightly contested cycle; sanctions could influence which teams reach the final. Attention now turns to the fourth Test, scheduled to begin on 23 July in Manchester. Both England and India will strive to improve their positions and avoid further penalties.
