
Huge Setback To England; WTC Hopes Takes A Big Hit After ICC Punishes Ben Stokes' Side Despite Lord's Win
Photo : AP
England took a 2-1 lead in the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy after they defeated India by 22 runs in the Lord's test. Chasing a target of 193, India were cruising towards a win at 41-1, but England scripted a memorable comeback to win the game. Ben Stokes led from the front and bowled 24 overs in the second innings, picking three wickets, while Jofra Archer also chipped in with a three-fer as England snatched a win from the jaws of defeat.
Meanwhile, England suffered a major setback despite winning the Lord's Test. The hosts were fined 10 percent of the match fee and docked two crucial WTC points for a slow over rate. Richie Richardson, from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, confirmed the sanction after England were found to be two overs short of the required quota. For the unversed, the teams are fined five percent match fee and docked one WTC point for each over short.
“Stokes pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing,” the ICC said in a statement.
For India, Ravindra Jadeja fought hard with a brilliant 61*, and he was ably supported by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who hung around with the left-hander, but Siraj was unfortunately dismissed after he defended the ball and it rolled on to the stumps, breaking India's hearts. But the team has itself to blame. They had a great chance to win as 193 wasn't a big score, especially on a good wicket, but they crumbled under pressure and lost a match which they should have won.