ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — The West Indies have been penalised for a slow over-rate following the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, resulting in a financial fine and a significant blow to their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) campaign.

Match Referee Javagal Srinath of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel imposed the sanction after the home side was found to be two overs short of the required target, even after time allowances were taken into consideration.

As a result, the West Indies players have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee. According to Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, players are docked five per cent of their fee for every over their team fails to bowl within the allotted time, with the maximum penalty capped at 50 per cent.

More critically, the side has also been penalised under Article 16.11.2 of the WTC playing conditions, which deducts one championship point for each over short. Consequently, two points have been subtracted from the West Indies’ WTC points tally.

Captain Roston Chase accepted the proposed sanction after pleading guilty to the offence, meaning the matter was resolved without the need for a formal hearing.

The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Ahsan Raza, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Deighton Buttler.