Ben Stokes, England’s captain, has expressed frustration with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over its over-rate penalties and its handling of his concerns regarding the issue. In a recent interview before the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington, Stokes made it clear that he had not signed the required post-match paperwork regarding over-rate sanctions since the Ashes series. This decision is a direct protest against the system that, according to Stokes, fails to take into account varying playing conditions.
In the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch, both England and New Zealand were penalized for slow over-rates, with each team losing three World Test Championship points and 15% of their match fees. Test matches are expected to be played at a rate of 15 overs per hour, with an extra 30 minutes available each day to make up any shortfall. However, Stokes argued that the regulations do not account for differences in conditions, particularly in seam-dominated matches. He pointed out that over-rate issues rarely arise in Asia due to the nature of spin-friendly pitches, contrasting this with conditions in countries like New Zealand, where faster bowlers dominate the game. Stokes emphasized that his team’s slow over-rate was not intentional and was a byproduct of the conditions and the nature of the match.
Stokes’ concerns were not limited to his own team’s experience. He also expressed frustration that the ICC had not responded to his feedback. He stated that he would not sign the over-rate form until there was proper communication from the governing body. Despite his refusal to sign the paperwork, Stokes acknowledged that the fines were still imposed, highlighting his dissatisfaction with the process. He noted that the issue of slow over-rates has been a growing concern across the cricketing world and shared the sentiment of other teams who feel the regulations are unfair or inconsistent.
The issue of over-rates has been a long-standing one in cricket, with bowlers’ productivity declining over the years. Data from Wisden shows that in the 1940s, bowlers sent down an average of 20 overs per hour, but this had decreased to an average of 13.64 overs per hour by the 2020s. While the system for penalizing slow over-rates has been more strictly enforced in recent years, Stokes pointed out that it does not reflect the reality of modern cricket, where playing conditions, team strategies, and match situations can all impact the over-rate.
One potential solution for addressing slow over-rates in limited-overs cricket has been the introduction of a “stop clock,” which provides fielding teams with 60 seconds to prepare for each over, with penalties imposed for further delays. This approach, implemented in T20 cricket, could offer a model for Test cricket as well. However, Stokes believes that the slow over-rates in Test matches are not a deliberate strategy and that simply urging teams to speed up their play without addressing the underlying factors would not resolve the issue.
In the broader context, England’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final have already been undermined by previous penalties for slow over-rates, as well as fluctuating match results. New Zealand, on the other hand, had entered the series with hopes of securing a place in the final, following their historic 3-0 victory in India, but these hopes have become slimmer as the series has progressed.
Despite these challenges, Stokes has made no changes to his team for the second Test. Ollie Pope will continue to keep wicket and bat at No 6, while Durham’s Ollie Robinson has been added to the squad as a regular wicketkeeper. Jacob Bethell will maintain his place at No 3, having impressed in recent performances. In addition, England announced that Bethell had been awarded a two-year central contract, along with one-year extensions for Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and Matthew Potts.
Stokes also reflected on England’s previous near-miss in New Zealand, recalling the thrilling day-five finish in 2022, where New Zealand claimed a one-run victory. He described the atmosphere of the match as unforgettable and expressed no regrets over the decision to enforce the follow-on, even though it ultimately led to England’s defeat. This week, Stokes would not rule out the possibility of enforcing the follow-on again should the opportunity arise, though he noted that the absence of Stuart Broad and James Anderson would make the decision more straightforward.
England now have a chance to secure their first Test series win in New Zealand since 2008, with two matches remaining in the current tour. With the series tied 1-0, England are in a strong position to seal the victory before the final Test in Hamilton next week.
