New Zealand women fined for slow over-rate in T20I against Australia

New Zealand Women’s cricket team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during the first T20I against Australia in Mackay. The team was found to be one over short of the required rate after taking time allowances into account.

As a result, the players were penalized five percent of their match fees for every over they failed to bowl within the allotted time, according to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct. This rule applies to minimum over-rate offences.

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine accepted the penalty, and since she pleaded guilty, a formal hearing was not required. The charge was laid by on-field umpires Andrew Crozier and Troy Penman, along with third umpire Ben Treloar and fourth umpire Daryl Brigham. The sanction was imposed by Match Referee David Gilbert.

Australia won the first T20I by five wickets and followed it up with a 29-run victory in the second match at the same venue. The two teams are set to face off again in the third T20I on Tuesday, September 24, before heading to the UAE for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, which starts on October 3.