IND vs ENG: Conspiracy! Ex-England captain questions ICC's hypocrisy in punishment

Ben Stokes-led England cricket team has been penalised with a two-point deduction and fined 10 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate during their third Test victory against India at Lord's on Monday. The penalty has caused England to drop from second to third position in the World Test Championship standings, with match referee Richie Richardson imposing the sanctions after determining the team was two overs short of the target."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 ICC said in statement."In addition, 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," it added.England's tally in the World Test Championship standings dropped from 24 to 22 out of 36 points, consequently reducing their point percentage (PCT) from 66.67 per cent to 61.11 per cent.However, former England captain Michael Vaughan has not only lambasted ICC for docking England's points but also asked why only one team faced the brunt. "Let’s be honest both teams over rates at Lords were very very poor .. How only 1 team has been reprimanded is beyond me," Vaughan wrote on X. It is not the first time this year England have been punished for their slow over-rate. England were docked 22 points during the 2023-25 cycle.The fourth test of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy will start at Old Trafford, from July 23.