England were docked two WTC points for a slow over-rate in the Lord's Test against India. Here's what the regulation say about time-wasting and injury delays from the batting side.
England docked two points for slow over rate
On Wednesday (July 16), the ICC announced that England had been hit with a two-point deduction in the World Test Championship, for their slow over rate against India in the Lord's Test.
The decision met some opposition, particularly online, with many suggesting that England fell behind the rate primarily due to delays induced by the batting team; most notably wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who repeatedly received medical attention while batting, having hurt his finger keeping in the first innings. During India's bowling innings, skipper Shubman Gill also received a lengthy massage from the team physio on one occasion.
In addition, it was also questioned most prominently by former England captain Michael Vaughan, how despite the over rate seemingly being poor across the entire match, only one team had been sanctioned.
Let’s be honest both teams over rates at Lords were very very poor .. How only 1 team has been reprimanded is beyond me .. #ENGvsIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 16, 2025
What do the ICC regulations say about time-wasting?
According to Article 12.9.3 of the ICC's World Test Championship 2025-27 playing conditions, “In calculating the actual over rate for the match, allowances will be given as follows:
- 12.9.3.1: The time lost as a result of treatment given to a player by an authorised medical personnel on the field of play;
- 12.9.3.2: The time lost as a result of a player being required to leave the field as a result of a serious injury;
- 12.9.3.3: The time taken for all third umpire referrals and consultations and any umpire or player reviews;
- 12.9.3.4: The time lost as a result of time wasting by the batting side; and
- 12.9.3.5: The time lost due to all other circumstances that are beyond the control of the fielding side.
- 12.9.3.6: 2 minutes per wicket taken, provided that such wicket results in the subsequent batters immediately commencing his innings. For the avoidance of any doubt, no time allowance will be given for the final wicket of an innings or where a wicket falls immediately prior to any interval;
- 12.9.3.7: 4 minutes per drinks break taken.”
Any time lost as a result of players, from India or England, receiving medical attention on the field is not taken into account when calculating over-rates. Similarly, the time taken for Rishabh Pant and Shoaib Bashir to leave the field following injuries when their teams were fielding did not affect the respective over-rates. Any attempt at time-wasting from the batters, or indeed – as per 12.9.3.5 – any time lost due to other circumstances outside the fielding team's control would not see them penalised.
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Both teams bowled out the other in under 80 overs in their respective second innings, meaning that according to Article 12.9.4 of the playing conditions, these innings would not go towards the match over-rate calculation as long as they were completed in time.
England were found to be two overs behind the over-rate, while India had completed their overs in time. This is a relatively small difference, and the major factor in India's favour in this regard was likely their use of spin bowling – 42.1 overs to England's 31.5. England's pace bowlers sent down 162.2 overs, and India's 132.3.
The time deducted as a result of these delays is recorded by the ICC, and exact over rate calculations are not made public.
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