England hit with massive, unprecedented 19-point World Test Championship penalty for Ashes over rates

England have been hit with a massive, unprecedented World Test Championship points penalty for maintaining a slow over rate in multiple Tests in the 2023 Ashes.

England have been docked 19 points, as many as all teams combined in the 2021-23 World Test Championship, and more than the 16 deducted across countries in 2019-21.

While the series was a memorable one, going down as one of the most entertaining and closely fought Test rubbers in history, the pace of play was a discussion point throughout. Australia were also penalised, docked 10 points, though only falling short in one Test, at Old Trafford. England were docked two points at Edgbaston, nine at Lord’s, three at Old Trafford, and five at the Kia Oval.

A new rule,