South Africa on Monday were disciplined for maintaining a slow over rate against England in the fourth Test match at the Wanderers. The Faf du Plessis-led side was fined 60 percent of their match fee and were penalized six ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points.
The Proteas side was found three overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.
Du Plessis pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the sanction. Thus, there was no need for a formal hearing.
South Africa did not bowl a single over of spin in the Test and hence, couldn’t complete the full quota of overs in allotted time.
"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 20 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time", the ICC release clarified. "In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalized two points for each over short".
South Africa lost the fourth Test at Wanderers by 191 runs and lost the series 1-3 against England. They are currently languishing at the seventh spot in WTC, with 24 points after seven matches.
