The West Indies have been fined for maintaining a slow over rate during the first ODI against England on May 29, held at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the penalty through an official release on their website.
Match Referee Jeff Crowe, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel, handed down the sanction after the West Indies fell one over short of the required rate, even after accounting for time allowances.
ICC Code of Conduct Invoked for Slow Over Rate Offense
The fine was enforced under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences. According to ICC regulations, teams are fined 5% of their match fee per over short of the target.
As a result, every West Indies player has been docked five percent of their match fee. Captain Shai Hope accepted the charge, thereby avoiding the need for a formal hearing. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Martin Saggers, along with third umpire Adrian Holdstock and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd.
England Dominate First ODI with 238-Run Victory
The on-field punishment was just one part of a miserable outing for the Caribbean side. In the first ODI against England, the hosts delivered a batting masterclass, racking up a daunting total of 400/8.
Half-centuries from Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Jacob Bethell gave England a commanding platform. Jacob Bethell, who scored 82 runs, was named Player of the Match for his explosive contribution.
West Indies Struggle as England Bowlers Seal Win
Chasing 401, the West Indies batting lineup collapsed under pressure and was bowled out for just 162 runs. None of the Caribbean batters offered significant resistance, and the team looked outclassed in all departments.
Saqib Mahmood and Jamie Overton picked up three wickets each, dismantling the West Indies and sealing a massive 238-run win for England in the ODI opener.
Slow Over Rate Fine Adds to West Indies’ Woes
On top of the embarrassing loss, the West Indies slow over rate fine further highlighted the team’s lack of discipline and urgency on the field. Failing to maintain the required over rate not only incurs financial penalties but also reflects poor match awareness.
The West Indies fined for slow over rate in the first ODI against England must now address both on-field execution and game management ahead of the remaining matches.
Upcoming Fixtures: Cardiff and The Oval Await
The second ODI of the series is currently being played in Cardiff, and the final match will take place at The Oval on Tuesday. With England riding high on momentum, the pressure is squarely on the West Indies to regroup and respond.
They must not only avoid another slow over rate penalty but also work towards delivering a more competitive performance in the next two games.
Official Match Details and Penalty Breakdown
The following table outlines the details of the ICC ruling:
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Offending Team | West Indies |
| Captain | Shai Hope |
| Opponent | England |
| Match | First ODI, England vs West Indies |
| Venue | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| Date | May 29, 2025 |
| Offence | Slow Over Rate |
| Over Short | 1 Over |
| Sanction | 5% Match Fee Fine per Player |
| ICC Rule | Article 2.22 (Minimum Over-Rate Offences) |
| Match Referee | Jeff Crowe (Emirates ICC Elite Panel) |
| On-field Umpires | Kumar Dharmasena, Martin Saggers |
| Third Umpire | Adrian Holdstock |
| Fourth Umpire | Graham Lloyd |
| Sanction Accepted By | Shai Hope (No formal hearing required) |
The West Indies slow over rate fine serves as a crucial reminder for teams to maintain discipline and adhere to ICC regulations. With a heavy defeat and penalties to digest, the West Indies must now refocus ahead of the remaining ODIs against a dominant England side.The second ODI will be a crucial game for the West Indies, who must now regroup and avoid similar ICC sanctions. It remains to be seen whether Shai Hope and his men can rise from this early setback and restore pride in the remainder of the series.
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