CHRISTCHURCH: England Test captain Ben Stokes has criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) for penalizing his team for maintaining a slow over rate during the first Test against New Zealand.
Cricket’s governing body on Tuesday announced the imposition of a fine of 15 per cent of their match fees and also gave them a deduction of three crucial points in the World Test Championship (WTC).
The decision did not sit well with the England captain, who expressed his frustration via his Instagram story.
“Good for you, ICC. I finished the game with 10 hours left to play,” Stokes captioned his Instagram story.
Later, when speaking to reporters, Ben Stokes acknowledged fans’ frustration before lamenting the lack of communication from the ICC regarding the rule.
“You completely understand why there is frustration from fans. We are not purposely bowling slower than the rules say. In summer, it doesn’t get dark until 10:30 in England. Why not have you throw it away if the light is enough for us to do so? he said.
“I am not the only one who shares the view that we would like to have much more communication with the ICC on this matter,” he added.
He then revealed that he has not signed an excessive charge sheet – a document from the match referee confirming that a team will incur a penalty – since the Ashes and promised not to do so until he hears something from cricket’s apex. body.
“I haven’t signed an overbilling sheet since Lord’s in the Ashes, just until we heard some communication from the ICC which we’re still waiting on. Captains have to sign sheets for excessive fees, fines and other things, but I said ‘no’ until I had the conversation. But they still take the fines off you anyway,” concluded Stokes.
