ENG W vs NZ W 2026: New Zealand fined for slow over-rate in first ODI

New Zealand Women have been charged for maintaining a slow over-rate during the first One Day International (ODI) against England at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street on Sunday, May 10.

According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which talks about the minimum over-rate offence, New Zealand have been fined five per cent of their match fees. The White Ferns were deemed to have bowled one over less in the allocated time, which warranted the aforementioned penalty. Based on the regulations, players are fined five per cent of their match fees for every over they bowl outside the allocated time. 

It is worth mentioning that New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr pled guilty and accepted the sanctions, meaning that the case will not need any formal hearings. 

Slow over-rate is considered to be one of the most common offences taking place on the cricket field, regardless of the format. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), franchise captains are fined for slow over-rate regularly and have caught many big names off guard, including Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel.

Kerr’s side went on to suffer a narrow one-wicket defeat at the hands of England in the first ODI in Durham. The visitors batted first and registered just 210 before losing all 10 wickets. Maddy Green was the highest scorer, hitting 88 off 107 balls, while her skipper also chipped in with 55. 

In reply, England chased down the total with 10 balls and just one wicket to spare, with stand-in captain Charlie Dean staying till the end to score an unbeaten 31. Right-handed batter Maia Bouchier was the highest scorer in the second innings, hitting 59 from 69 balls. 

England will now have the chance to clinch the three-match series on Wednesday, May 13, when they play New Zealand in the second ODI in Northampton. The Kiwis, on the other hand, will want to secure a win to not only keep themselves alive in the series but also to end their five-match losing streak against their rivals in 50-over cricket.