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West Indies fined for slow over rate against New Zealand, again

West Indies maintained slow over rate in the first Test as well.

West Indies have been found guilty of committing this mistake against Pakistan as well © Getty Images
West Indies have been found guilty of committing this mistake against Pakistan as well © Getty Images

West Indies cricket has been under pressure in 2017. They missed out on direct qualification for the 2019 World Cup after losing the ODI series against England. They have also lost Test series against Pakistan, England and New Zealand. The only time West Indies achieved success in Test cricket was the 1-0 win against Zimbabwe.

In the recently concluded two-match Test series against New Zealand, West Indies lost the first Test by an innings and 67 runs. Skipper Jason Holder was suspended and fined 60 per cent of his match fee for maintaining a slow over rate. His teammates too were fined 30 per cent of the match fee. This was not the first time Holder was found guilty of slow over rate: he committed the same mistake against Pakistan as well.

West Indies were not just thrashed by New Zealand by 240 runs in the second Test. The change in leadership has not brought about a change in over rates. Stand-in captain Kraigg Brathwaite has been fined 40 per cent of the match fee while others were slapped with 20 per cent of their match fees.

Match referee Chris Broad calculated that the visitors were two overs short of their target. Brathwaite pleaded guilty to the offence instantly, so no formal hearing was required. If Brathwaite commits the same mistake in the current 12-month time frame as captain, he will be suspended for a match as well.

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