ENGLAND and Australia have both been handed a points deduction by the International Cricket Council.
That’s after being found guilty of “maintaining slow rates” during their thrilling first Test battle in the Ashes.
Getty Images – GettyEngland and Australia have been punished by the ICC after the first Ashes Test[/caption]
The two sides played out an incredible game at Edgbaston to kick off the Series.
And it was Australia who came away happy after yesterday’s die-hard batting display.
However, both teams have now been found guilty of slowing down play during the match.
Sanctions were imposed after the two sides were ruled to be “two overs short of their targets after time allowances were taken into consideration.”
England captain Ben Stokes and Australia skipper Pat Cummings both accepted the sanctions, preventing the need for a formal hearing.
All players have now been fined 40 per cent of their match fees.
And England and Australia have each lost two points from their World Test Championship tally.
It means England are now ninth in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle.
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Meanwhile, top-place Australia have dropped from 12 points to 10.
The punishment is the latest blow to come England’s way following yesterday’s disappointing defeat.
Stokes’ fearless, gun-ho approach backfired as his side lost by two wickets.
Aussie captain Cummins and Nathan Lyon both held firm to see their side over the line.
And England must win three of the remaining four Tests to bring the Ashes home again.