England-India-fined

Picture Credit: Twitter/@ICC

The second cycle of the ICC World Test Championship has not started well for India and England. After the first Test in the 2021-23 cycle for both teams ended in a draw, they have also lost two WTC points for maintaining slow over-rate in the first Test in Nottingham.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), on Wednesday, said in a release that both the teams have been docked two two points as they could not maintain the over-rate. Apart from two WTC points deduction, both the teams have also been fined 40% of their match fee. “Apart from the point deduction, hosts England were also fined 40% of the match fee for a slow over-rate while Virat Kohli's India were also penalized 40% by match referee Chris Broad,” said a part of the release. Now, both the teams have two points each in WTC standings heading into the second Test at the Lord's Cricket Ground.

Injury concerns for both teams heading into the second Test

After the first Test ended in an unwanted draw due to persistent rain. Both teams will look to take a lead in the five-match series going into the second Test. However, there are injury concerns for both the teams. England's pacer Stuart Broad complained of a calf injury during training session while India's Shardul Thakur has suffered a hamstring injury. This is not a good news for both teams as these two had a decent outing in the first Test. Broad looked dangerous in the second innings as he dismissed KL Rahul off a Jaffa while Thakur gave crucial breakthroughs in both the innings.

With Thakur's availability remains doubtful, India may look up to Ashwin who was dropped in the first game. However, the Indian skipper had earlier hinted that they want to stick to the 4-1 combination throughout the series. For England, Moeen Ali has been added and may immediately be included in the playing XI. Ollie Pope may also find his way back for the second Test, which starts from August 12.