Match referee penalises Sri Lanka for being three overs short

During the England‑Sri Lanka one‑day series, the ICC match referee imposed a penalty on the visitors for failing to meet the mandated over‑rate. The first ODI, held on September 22 at Chester‑le‑Street, required Sri Lanka to bowl a set number of overs within the allotted time. After considering the granted time‑loss allowance, the team remained three overs behind schedule.

Jeff Cro, serving as match referee, applied the ICC Code of Conduct clause that attracts a 5% fee deduction per under‑rate over. The three‑over deficit translated into a 15% collective fine on each Sri Lankan player’s match earnings.

Captain Kusala Mendis accepted the fine without contest. England chased down 265 runs in 48.1 overs, highlighted by Harry Brook’s 67‑run effort. Sri Lanka’s reply was limited to 176 runs from 37 overs, with Dunith Welallage leading the scoreboard with 45 runs. England secured the win by 89 runs.