The West Indies cricket team has been fined 10% of their match fees by the ICC after being found two overs short of the required rate during the fourth T20I against Australia in St. Kitts. The penalty was imposed under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which mandates a 5% deduction per over short of the target.
Captain Shai Hope accepted the sanction on behalf of the team, acknowledging the shortfall and ensuring no formal hearing was needed. In his statement, Hope took full responsibility, emphasizing that the players understood the importance of maintaining the pace of play and would work to address the issue in future matches.
The incident came during a high-scoring match where West Indies posted a competitive total, only for Australia to successfully chase it down in the final overs. Despite the intense battle on the field, the over-rate issue overshadowed the performance, highlighting the growing emphasis on time management in international cricket.
For the West Indies, the fine adds to an already challenging series, with Australia dominating across formats. The sanction also serves as a reminder of the strict standards teams are held to, regardless of match situations or on-field pressure.
As the series heads to its final T20I, the focus for the Caribbean side will not only be on salvaging pride with a win but also on ensuring discipline in areas like over-rate management. Hope’s acceptance of the penalty underscores the leadership’s commitment to correcting procedural lapses while aiming to turn the team’s fortunes around on the field.