Australia fined for slow over-rate in first T20I versus India

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Australia have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first T20I against India which they won by four runs in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the fine after Aaron Finch’s side was ruled to be one over short of their target when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 percent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As such, Finch has been fined 20 percent of his match fee, while his players have received 10 percent fines. If Australia commit another minor over-rate breach in a T20I within 12 months of this offence with Finch as captain, it will be deemed a second offence by Finch and he will face a suspension.

Finch pleaded guilty to the offence after the end of the match and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Simon Fry and Paul Wilson, third umpire Gerard Abood and fourth umpire Shawn Craig.