The penalty meant that New Zealand, who won the inaugural WTC, dropped from fourth to fifth on the WTC table and their chances of making the final next year has taken a further hi

New Zealand's World Test Championship final hopes were dented after the ICC deducted points for slow over-rate in the first Test against England, dropping them to fifth in the standings.

England and New Zealand have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first Test in Christchurch. Both teams have been fined 15 per cent of their match fees and penalised three World Test Championship competition points.

Ben Stokes was left bemused by over-rate penalties imposed on his England side after their eight-wicket win over New Zealand in Christchurch, responding with three shrugging emojis and sarcastically writing: "Good on you ICC.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has again imposed strict penalties on England and New Zealand for slow over-rates during their first Test in Christchurch. The sanctions, which include financial fines and World Test Championship (WTC) point deductions,