England penalised two WTC points for slow over-rate in Lord’s Test
England have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee and penalised two ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate against India in the third Test at Lord’s.
England have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee and penalised two ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate against India in the third Test at Lord’s.
In the last WTC cycle, too, England suffered a few points due to slow over rates. In England, where pace bowlers bowl more often than or not, teams would bowl pacers, which generally takes more time.
India lost the Lord's test narrowly by 22 runs. Image | Getty Images
In the recent past, experts have been saying that the ICC must find a balance between conditions to help teams where pacers come into action more.
England, though, went on to win the third test of the Anderson-Tendulkar series at Lord's in a dramatic manner by 22 runs and are leading the series by 2-1.
Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after England were ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of theICC 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.
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.
England captain Ben Stokes pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
On-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, third umpire Ahsan Raza, and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd levelled the charge.
Most Test centuries in the World Test Championship
Joe Root, with 21 test tons, has scored the most test centuries in the World Test Championship so far. Shubman Gill has entered the top 10 of the list recently.
The World Test Championship was started in 2019 to make Test cricket interesting. The Championship has changed the way Test Cricket is being played. Teams like England and India, along with Australia, have shown their aggressive brand of cricket.
South Africa are the current winner of the ICC World Test Championship. New Zealand and Australia have won the World Test Championships in the first two editions, while India played the final on both occasions.
Here are the players with the most Test centuries in the World Test Championship.
1. Joe Root | 21
Root dedicated his 21st century on WTC to former England keeper Graham Thorpe. Image | ICC
England's Joe Root has the most Test centuries in the World Test Championship. So far, he has scored 21 centuries in 126 innings of 69 matches. Root is also the batsman who has scored the most runs in this tournament, with6080 runs at an average of 52.86.
Till now, Root is the only batter to score more than 6000 runs in WTC history.
His best knock came against India in 2021 when he scored 228 in Chennai to help his side win the game.
Australia's Steve Smithhas now scored the most test centuries in the World Test Championship. The Aussie top-order batter has been one of the best test batters of this generation and has scored runs all around the world.
Smith is known for his unorthodox and yet effective batting style, which keeps on annoying the opponent's bowling lineups.
Till now in WTC, Steve Smith has scored 4225 runs at an outstanding average of 50.29, including 13 test centuries.
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne has scored 11 centuries in his Test career, and all have been scored in the World Test Championship. In 53 matches, he has scored 4225 runs at an average of 48.01 during the Test Championship.
Marnus used to have his test average over 50. However, a recent dip in form, which also led to him being dropped from the test side as well, brought his batting average down.
Still, he is the batter with the second-most test centuries and third-most runs in WTC history so far.
4. Kane Williamson | 11
Kane Williamson has batted amazingly in the World Test Championship. He has played only 28 matches so far in this tournament, but has managed to score 11 centuries in his 50 innings.
Williamson has the best average (61.34) among the batsmen who have scored at least 2000 runs in the World Test Championship. During the Test match versus South Africa, the former Kiwi skipper scored two tons in the same game.
Former Indian test captain Rohit Sharma is the only Indian batter included in the 'most Test centuries in the World Test Championship' list.
Before retiring from the format, Rohit played 40 matches during the Test Championship since 2019. In his 69 innings, he has scored 9 centuries and 8 half-centuries with his bat.
With 2716 runs in the World Test Championship in just 40 Tests, Rohit is the highest scorer for India in WTC history so far, with an average is 41.15. Rohit Sharma's all of 9 test tons in WTC came in winning cause for India.
Brook after scoring his latest test century, vs India in Birmingham. Image | Getty Images
Currently, the ICC No.1 Men's test batter, Harry Brook, comes at number six on our list of players with the most test centuries in the World Test Championship.
The English youngster has just played 26 test matches during the WTC cycles and has scored 9 centuries so far.
Apart from Joe Root, he has been the shining armour of the English batting lineup in the last two seasons. Brook, till now, has scored 2424 test runs in WTC at an average of 55.09, with an outstanding strike rate of 84.54, the highest in WTC history.
Gill after scoring his double ton against England at Edgbaston. Image | BCCI
Before starting his tenure as the captain of the Indian men's test cricket team, Shubman Gill was nowhere on this list of batters with the most test hundreds in WTC history.
But as he wore the blazer of the Indian team, he was a different beast. In the first two tests as captain, he hit three centuries, which also had a highest score of 269, the highest by any Indian test captain.
Till now, in 37 tests in WTC, Gill has scored 2647 runs at an average of 41.35, including 9 test tons.
8. Babar Azam | 8
The former Pakistan skipper has scored 8 centuries during the World Test Championship cycle. Babar Azam is the sixth in the list of batters with the most test centuries in WTC history.
In 36 matches, he has also scored 2998 runs at an average of 48.35 during the Test Championship.
The 29-year-old isn’t in the greatest of form currently, but on his day, Babar Azam is a delight to watch.
One of his most memorable knocks came against Australia in Karachi in 2022. Babar scored 196 while chasing a huge total in the 4th inning of the game.
9. Dhananjaya de Silva | 8
Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya De Silva might be one of the surprising names on this list.
The Sri Lanka captain has been one of the best batters for his country despite lacking support from the other end, most of the time.
So far, he has scored 8 centuries in 62 innings of 35 matches. Dhananjaya also scored 2509 runs, with an average of 44.80, during the Test Championship. Dhananjaya is also one of the active players with the most test centuries currently.
Head after scoring a ton against India in 2024. Image | Getty Images
Travis Head, the swashbuckling left-handed batter, has also scored 8 test tons during the World Test Championship cycle. The Aussie batter is one of the most dangerous middle-order batters in the world at the moment in test cricket.
Till now, in 51 matches in WTC, Head has scored 3264 runs at an average of 40.80, with a strike-rate of 72.85. Head also scored 15 fifties during the World Test Championship.
Head's 7 out of 8 test tons during the WTC came in a winning cause for Australia.
Australian opener Usman Khawaja has hit 8 centuries during the World Test Championship cycle.
In 42 matches, he has scored3251 runs at an average of 45.78. The Southpaw batter is a treat to watch when he is in song and has restored his career with some outstanding scores for the current WTC champions.
He was also the second-highest-scoring batsman in the 2021–2023 WTC cycle with 1,621 runs, the highest by an Australian batsman.
ENG vs IND 5th Test Preview | Head-to-head stats, Possible XI, streaming details
India need to win the Oval Test in order to share the trophy. Here is everything you need to know before the ENG vs IND fourth test match at Old Trafford, Manchester.
Team India will play the fifth and final Test match against England at Kennington Oval in London, which starts on July 31. If India has to level the series, then it is important for them to win this match. So far, England is leading 2-1 in this 5 match Test series. They won the first and third Tests while Team India won the second Test. The fourth Test match between the two was a draw.
In the final match, India will aim to replicate their Edgbaston’s performance to beat the hosts and for that, they will have to form a formidable playing XI against the English side.
Prior to the massive game, here is everything you need to know before the ENG vs IND fifth test match at Kennington, Oval in London.
The ENG vs IND 5th Test will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website.
The viewers can watch the India vs England 5th Test live telecast on the Sony Sports Network.
ENG vs IND: Head-to-head stats
Matches played
140
England won
53
India won
36
Drawn
51
Pitch Report: Kennington Oval
The ugly verbal spat between India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and Oval’s pitch curator has been the major talking point ahead of the fifth Test. Keeping that aside, the pitch matchday minus day two looked quite greenish. However, the groundsman will cut some grass on the eve of the clash.
This means the pacers will do the talking, especially with the brand new red Dukes cherry. This domestic season, seamers have ruled the roost as well, having picked up 131 of the 150 wickets that have fell in 5 games.
Moreover, since 2019, the average score has been less than 300 across all the four innings in Tests at Kennington Oval. This all sums up that we might have a low-scoring affair, favouring seamers.
Weather Report
The weather prediction for London on Day 1 is for partly overcast conditions with a few afternoon showers. A full day of play is anticipated on Day 2, which is predicted to be sunny.
The third day will be lovely and transparent. There will probably be rainy periods on Day 4. Long stretches of sunlight on Day 5 will allow for another full day of recreation.
England:Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer/Gus Atkinson.
India: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
The final match of the ENG vs IND Test series will be played at Kennington Oval, London. Before the start of the match, let's take a look at India’s Test records at Kennington Oval, London.
The Anderson-Tendulkar series between India and England has now reached an exciting stage. Four matches of this five-match series have been completed so far. England is leading the series 2-1.
The final match of this exciting series will be played at Kennington Oval, London. Victory is a must for Team India in this final and decisive Test match to be held from July 31. However, the record of the Indian team on this ground has been worrying, due to which the match is expected to be even more challenging. Team India faces the difficult challenge of defeating England in the last Test and ending the series on a draw.
India has played a total of 15 Test matches at Kennington, Oval so far. Out of which 14 matches have been played between India and England, while one match was the final of the World Test Championship between India and Australia.
In these matches, India has won only twice, while it has faced defeat six times. The remaining seven matches have ended in a draw. These figures show that this ground has not been easy for India.
India played its first Test match on this ground in August 1936, in which it lost to England by 9 wickets. After this, the matches held in 1946 and 1952 were drawn, but in 1959 India had to face a crushing defeat by an innings and 27 runs.
India got its first victory at the Oval in the year 1971. This victory is counted among the golden moments of Indian cricket history. Under the captaincy of Ajit Wadekar, India defeated England by 4 wickets and registered its first big Test victory abroad. This victory proved to be a milestone for Indian cricket at that time.
A long string of defeats
From 1979 to 2007, India played five Test matches here, all of which were draws. India struggled during these years, but victory remained elusive. After this, a series of defeats started in 2011, when England defeated India by an innings and 8 runs. In 2014, India again lost by an innings and 244 runs, which was one of its biggest defeats at that time. In 2018 also, India had to face defeat by 118 runs.
Historic victory of 2021
However, in 2021, India performed its best at the Oval and defeated England by 157 runs. This victory was the biggest victory ever for Team India on this ground. In that match, both the bowlers and the batsmen performed brilliantly, which gave new energy to India's confidence.
WTC Final disappointment
In July 2023, India played the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) against Australia at the Oval. However, in this title match, India had to face defeat by 209 runs and another disappointing record was added to the Oval.
ENG vs IND 4th Test: Rishabh Pant to available for batting; Jurel will do wicketkeeping
India vice-captain Rishabh Pant, on Thursday, joined the Indian camp at the Old Trafford ground on Day 2 of the ongoing ENG vs IND fourth Test, a day after he sustained a foot injury.
Indian team's star wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant will be available to bat. However, he will not do wicketkeeping. Dhruv Jurel will take over wicketkeeping in his place. BCCI confirmed this news on Thursday through their X handle.
India vice-captain Rishabh Pant, on Thursday, joined the Indian camp at the Old Trafford ground on Day 2 of the ongoing ENG vs IND fourth Test, a day after he sustained a foot injury.
“Rishabh Pant, who sustained an injury to his right foot on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, will not be performing wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of the match. Dhruv Jurel will assume the role of wicket-keeper. Despite his injury, Rishabh Pant has joined the team on Day 2 and will be available to bat as per team requirements,” BCCI wrote.
𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: Rishabh Pant, who sustained an injury to his right foot on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, will not be performing wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of the match. Dhruv Jurel will assume the role of wicket-keeper.
However, the board has not said whether he is out of the series or not. Earlier, news agency PTI had informed that Pant is out of the remaining series.
Pant looked in a lot of pain
Pant was batting on 37 runs in the first innings when the ball hit his foot while attempting a reverse sweep. In the 68th over of the Indian innings, a ball from Chris Woakes hit his right leg. After this, he lay down on the ground and looked in a lot of pain.
Even when the physio arrived, he was seen groaning in pain. Then an attempt was made to lift him up and take him away, but he could not walk. Then he was taken to the ambulance. Blood was seen oozing from Pant's right leg, and there was a lot of swelling in that part of the body.
Post stumps, Pant was taken for scans, which confirmed a toe fracture.
“Yes, Rishabh Pant is ruled out of the series. He went for scans last night, and the reports have revealed a toe fracture. There is just no chance of him batting as he is in a lot of pain right now.” Source said.
Jurel to keep the wickets
The board may also ask KL Rahul to keep wickets, but he has not performed this responsibility since the South Africa tour in the 2023-24 season. The team's other wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel was not included in the playing XI for the fourth Test match.
This is the second time Pant has suffered an injury in the series. He injured his finger while wicketkeeping during the third Test at Lord's due to which he was unable to keep wickets in England's second innings. Dhruv Jurel had kept wicket as a replacement then. He will be seen keeping wicket in place of Pant in the ENG vs IND 4th test as well.
ENG vs IND 4th Test: 14 times in a row, Team India loses toss again, the odds of that are apparently 16,384-1
India's captain Shubman Gill lost the toss in the ENG vs IND fourth Test at Old Trafford. With Gill losing the toss, India have now lost 14 Test tosses in a row.
India's captain Shubman Gill lost the toss in the ENG vs IND fourth Test at Old Trafford. With Gill losing the toss, India have now lost 14 Test tosses in a row. The odds of that are, apparently, 16,384-1.
India is trailing the series 2-1 after a dramatic 22-run defeat at Lord’s.
India has lost the toss 14 times in a row since January 31, 2025. Earlier, this record was in the name of West Indies. West Indies had lost 12 consecutive tosses between February 2, 1999 and April 21, 1999. England is at number three in this list. England lost 11 consecutive tosses between December 17, 2022 and March 12, 2023.
Ben Stokes won the toss
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss on Wednesday and chose to field on an overcast morning in their crucial fourth Test against England at Old Trafford. History is against Stokes, though, as no team winning the toss and opting to bowl first has ever won a Test at Old Trafford.
India's result at Old Trafford
India has yet to win a Test at Old Trafford, having faced four defeats and five draws in nine previous matches at the Manchester ground.
India made three changes
India has made three changes in playing XI, with batsman Sai Sudharsan replacing Karun Nair, and Shardul Thakur and debutant Anshul Kamboj coming in for injured pacemen Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep.
Jasprit Bumrah was named to play by India. Before the ENG vs IND series commenced, it was announced that Bumrah, the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, would participate in only three of the five matches to safeguard his fitness following a back injury.
England had previously named their side, making just one change by recalling Liam Dawson for the left-arm spinner’s first Test in eight years after Shoaib Bashir suffered a series-ending finger injury at Lord’s.
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