The Ashes 2023 got off to a tremendous start as the first Test match at Edgbaston went right down to the wire as Australia won by 2 wickets thanks to heroics from Aussie captain Pat Cummins, but this time with the bat.
Asked to chase a stiff 282 runs in the fourth innings, Australia resumed on day 5 on 107/3 but with a delay due to rain. Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals with Head (16), Cameron Green (28), and Alex Carey (20) making contributions.
But in the end, it was Cummins, who made 44 with 4 fours and 2 sixes as Australia won by 2 wicketsto go 1-0 up in the Ashes series.
However, both teams were fined for slow overrates during the Test match by the ICC.
Players from both sides were fined 40 percent of their match fees. Andy Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanctions after both teams were ruled to be two overs short of their targets after time allowances were taken into consideration.
Australia captain Pat Cummins and England skipper Ben Stokes accepted the sanctions, meaning there was no need for formal hearings.
On top of that, Australia also lost two World Test Championship points. England was also deducted 2 points.
By Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offenses, players are fined 20 percent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, sides are penalized one point for each over short. Consequently, two World Test Championship points will be deducted from both teams’ points total.
(ICC inputs)
