ENG vs IND 2025: ‘How only 1 team has been reprimanded?’ – Michael Vaughan questions ICC after docking England’s two WTC points

Michael Vaughan and Ben Stokes with Shubman Gill (Source: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images and Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)

After the dramatic Lord’s Test between England and India, former England captain Michael Vaughan questioned the ICC’s decision to penalise only the hosts for a slow over rate. The ICC docked England two World Test Championship (WTC) points and fined them 10% of their match fees, a decision that hasn’t sat well with Vaughan.

The third Test of the ongoing England-India series at Lord’s witnessed a thrilling finish. After both teams posted identical first-innings scores, the match went down to the fourth innings, where India fell 22 runs short of a 193-run target. While the Three Lions ended on the winning side, they were penalised by the ICC for their slow over rate. Meanwhile, Vaughan pointed out that even India should have been penalised for their over-rate.

“Let’s be honest both teams over rates at Lords were very very poor. How only 1 team has been reprimanded is beyond me,” he wrote on X.

According to Article 16.11.2 of the WTC playing conditions, teams lose one point for each over short, after accounting for all time allowances. England were found two overs short and consequently lost two WTC points, dropping from 24 to 22 points and falling from second to third in the standings. Notably, Sri Lanka have moved up to second.

Furthermore, under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, the players were fined 5% of their match fee per over short, resulting in a 10% deduction overall. England skipper Ben Stokes accepted the penalty without a formal hearing.

England don’t lose many games when Ben Stokes is in action: Vaughan

The former England captain praised Stokes’ captaincy and lauded the decision to bring ace pacer Jofra Archer back in the playing XI.

“What he has done for the team and the way he has played this expansive game across Test match cricket for the number of years is phenomenal. England doesn’t lose many games of cricket when Ben Stokes is in action. When the pressure’s been on and the game’s on a knife edge, I don’t think I have ever seen Ben lose,” Vaughan said while speaking on Cricbuzz.

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