England's retired seamer fumes at the 19 points the hosts lost for slow over-rates during the five-Test Ashes series. Australia, meanwhile, lost 10 and were fined 50 per cent of their match fees for indiscretion during the Old Trafford draw
Stuart Broad believes England's punishment for maintaining slow over-rates during the Ashes series "diminishes the relevance of the World Test Championship".
Ben Stokes' side were deducted a total of 19 points for falling behind in four of the five Tests.
They were also fined 10 per cent of their match fee after the first Test, 45 for the second, 15 for the fourth and 25 after the fifth.
Australia, who retained the urn courtesy of the 2-2 series draw, were meanwhile deducted 10 and fined 50 per cent of their match fee for a slow over-rate during the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
Teams are awarded 12 for a victory, four for a draw and none for a defeat in the WTC.
Pat Cummins' Australia were also hit by the ruling (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
As per the ICC's rules, teams are fined five per cent of their match fee and one WTC point per over they are found to be short. Ninty overs are scheduled to be bowled on a typical day, but mitigating circumstances are considered in the over calculation, allowing for delays for DRS reviews or concussion tests.
It leaves England fifth in the table with nine points while Australia, the defending champions, are third on 18. Pakistan and India are the early pace-setters in the 2023/25 cycle.
But the ruling has angered Broad, who retired following the 49-run victory at the Kia Oval.
"It diminishes the relevance of the World Test Championship, to be honest," he told The Daily Mail. "It's been one of the most entertaining series of all time, and for England to come out with nine points from a possible 60, the system's wrong and needs looking at."
Posted by Philip winspear on 08/08/2023 at 14:30
Its simple, bowl the overs youre supposed to. The paying public pay too much to watch tests in england and the players consistently fail to deliver the contracted 90 overs. Have never been to a football match where the ref takes them off after 80 mins as times up!