India's squad have been fined 20 per cent of their match fees from the first ODI against Australia due to their sluggish over rate at the SCG.\n<\/p>\n
The International Cricket Council handed down their punishment on Saturday after the series opener devolved into a glacial crawl, leaving fans and stakeholders up in arms.\n<\/p>\n
By the end of the day's proceedings, play ended at 11:09 p.m. local time Friday, nearly an hour after the scheduled finishing time, with the result well and truly clear much earlier.<\/p>\n
An ICC statement read: "India players have been fined 20 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against Australia in the first ODI in Sydney on Friday.\n<\/p>\n
"David Boon of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Virat Kohli's side was ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.\n<\/p>\n
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"In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.\n<\/p>\n
"Kohli pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing."\n<\/p>\n
Virat Kohli's India side and the majority of Australia's starters recently took part in the Indian Premier League then spent two weeks in hotel quarantine.\n<\/p>\n
Players were given permission by state health officials to train once a day during the two weeks, but were otherwise locked in their respective hotel rooms.\n<\/p>\n
Sluggishness might have been part of the problem, says Adam Zampa, who took four wickets for 54 runs to help put Australia 1-0 up in the three-match series.\n<\/p>\n
"From the viewers' point of view, it's not the best look for the game," Zampa said. "It will definitely improve. Hopefully after getting those cobwebs out and getting those miles in the legs, you'll see some more intensity in the next two games."\n<\/p>\n
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The next match is Sunday, also at the SCG, with the third match set for Wednesday in Canberra.\n<\/p>\n
The International Cricket Council changed its rules last year, ensuring captains are no longer issued demerit points and put at risk of suspensions for slow-over rates. <\/p>\n
\n"It felt like it went all day, that was the longest 50 overs in the field I've ever had," man-of-the-match Steve Smith said after Australia's 66-run win at the Sydney Cricket Ground.<\/p>\n
Match referees now have the power to fine entire teams, which is what happened to India in three consecutive games earlier this year during a tour of New Zealand.\n<\/p>\n
It continued on Saturday when the ICC fined India players 20% of their match fee.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"