New Zealand have been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during the opening ODI against England at Chester-le-Street, capping off a frustrating evening for the visitors after their dramatic one-wicket defeat in Durham.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), confirmed on May 12 that New Zealand were penalised five percent of their match fee after being ruled one over short of the required rate once time allowances had been considered. The sanction was imposed by Helen Pack of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees following Sunday’s match, which England narrowly won with 10 balls remaining.
Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, players are fined five percent of their match fee for every over if their side fails to complete within the allotted time. Since New Zealand fell short by one over, the entire squad received a five percent deduction.
Captain Amelia Kerr admitted the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, meaning there was no need for a formal hearing. The charge was brought forward by on-field umpires Jacqueline Williams and Rose Dovey along with third umpire Sue Redfern.
The penalty came after a tightly contested ODI that marked England’s first international fixture since last year’s Women’s ODI World Cup final. Despite entering the series without several established stars, the hosts edged home in a tense chase to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
New Zealand posted 210 after being bowled out in 48.4 overs, with Kerr leading from the front through a composed 55 from 82 deliveries. Maddy Green once again underlined her importance to the White Ferns middle order, top-scoring with 88 off 107 balls, including nine boundaries.
The pair shared a crucial 105-run partnership for the third wicket after New Zealand slipped to 42 for 2 early in the innings. Green accelerated steadily through the middle overs while Kerr anchored the innings, helping the visitors recover from the loss of openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer inside the first 12 overs.
England’s inexperienced bowling attack, however, responded well during the latter stages of the innings. Debutant spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman impressed immediately with figures of 2 for 49, dismissing both Plimmer and Green during a confident maiden international appearance. Stand-in England captain Charlie Dean also played a major role with the ball, finishing with economical figures of 2 for 21 in seven overs as New Zealand lost their final eight wickets for 63 runs.
England’s chase appeared under control for long periods thanks to a measured 59 from Maia Bouchier and a useful 30 from Freya Kemp, but the White Ferns fought back strongly through their bowling attack. Rosemary Mair produced the standout spell with 3 for 42, while Kerr added two wickets to leave England struggling at 201 for 9.
With the match delicately balanced, Dean remained calm under pressure and guided England home with an unbeaten 31 from 46 balls. She shared a crucial final-wicket stand with Corteen-Coleman to complete the chase in 48.2 overs and secure victory with 10 deliveries remaining.
The match also marked England’s first outing under Dean’s leadership in the absence of injured regular captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. England were additionally without several experienced players including Sophie Ecclestone and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, giving opportunities to younger squad members ahead of next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
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