England fined for slow over-rate

The England team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during its nine-run loss to India during the second ODI at Bristol on Friday.

Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fines after Paul Collingwood's side was ruled to be three overs short of its target at the end of the India innings when time allowances were taken into consideration.

And with the shortfall being more than two overs, Collingwood, as captain, was automatically charged with a Level two Code of Conduct breach, clause 2.11.

Collingwood pleaded guilty to that charge in the hearing that took place after the match. The charge was laid by the two on-field match officials Billy Doctrove and Ian Gould and third umpire Nigel Llong.

Collingwood was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for the breach - the minimum amount allowable for a Level two offence - and as he was found guilty, that punishment took precedence over any fine that was imposed on him as part of the England team.

That is in accordance with the ICC Code of Conduct regulation that states: "In the event of the Captain being found guilty of a charge under this Rule (2.11), the sanction imposed will take the place of the fine imposed..."

The other players are each fined five per cent of their match fees for every over they failed to bowl in the time allowed and so Collingwood's team mates are each 15 per cent out of pocket following the match. If a captain is not charged and found guilty under 2.11, his punishment for an over-rate breach is always double that of the rest of the team.

Players found guilty of a Level two, three or four offence under the ICC Code of Conduct have a right of appeal. Such an appeal must be lodged in writing with the ICC's legal counsel within 24 hours of the player receiving the original verdict.

The penalties for a Level two offence range from a fine of 50 per cent of a player's match fee up to a fine of a full match fee and/or a one Test or two ODI ban.

The hearing was attended by Collingwood, England team operations manager Phil Neale, England team coach Peter Moores and the four umpires on duty for the match, on-field officials Billy Doctrove and Ian Gould, third umpire Nigel Llong and fourth official Peter Hartley.