South Africa docked six WTC points, fined 60% match fees for slow over-rate
Faf du Plessis' team charged after falling three overs short of target in absence of a spinner
ESPNcricinfo staff
27-Jan-2020
Faf du Plessis talks to Umpire Joel Wilson • Gallo Images/Getty Images
South Africa have become the first team to be docked World Test Championship (WTC) points for a slow over rate after were fined 60% of their match fee after falling short of their target in the fourth Test of their series against England at the Wanderers.
After leaving frontline spinner Keshav Maharaj out of their side, South Africa did not bowl a single over of spin in the Test, leaving them three overs short after time allowances were taken into consideration.
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In line with Article 2.22 of the ICC's code of conduct, players are fined 20% of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the time allocated to them, and in accordance with Article 16.11.2 of the WTC's playing conditions, a side is penalised two points for every over they are short.
Faf du Plessis, South Africa's captain, pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, meaning there was no need for a formal hearing following the levelling of the charge by the match officials.
South Africa sit seventh out of nine teams in the inaugural WTC, with 24 points after seven matches.