Black Caps captain Kane Williamson. Photo / Photosport
Black Caps captain Kane Williamson. Photo / Photosport
By Niall Anderson in Birmingham
Black Caps captain Kane Williamson is at risk of a suspension at the Cricket World Cup, after being fined for a slow over-rate in his side's thrilling five-run win over the West Indies yesterday.
Williamson was ruled to be one over short ofthe Black Caps' required over-rate target, after time allowances were taken into consideration. The minimum over-rate is set by the umpires, with the Black Caps having to complete their allotted overs in a set amount of time allocated, with allowances given for injuries, television reviews and time wasting from the batting side.
Williamson pleaded guilty to the offence, which was dished out by the match umpires, and was fined 20 per cent of his match fee.
However, most concerningly for the New Zealand squad, Williamson is now running the risk of being suspended. If the Black Caps commit another minor over-rate offence during the World Cup - in a game with Williamson playing - it will be deemed a second offence, and he will receive an immediate one-game suspension.
Black Caps captain Kane Williamson. Photo / Photosport
According to the ICC Code of Player Conduct, a second minor over-rate offence carries a fine - 20 per cent of the match fee per over short of their target - and the "imposition of a suspension for the immediately subsequent international match, in the same format of the game as that in which the offence occurred."
Such a breach is extremely rare for New Zealand, having only been fined for over-rate offences nine times since 1992. At the other end of the scale, Pakistan have been fined a remarkable 96 times for the same issue, while India have been pinged on 77 occasions.
Under Williamson's reign, the Black Caps have been caught short just once - in the 2017 Champions Trophy match against England, where they were two overs short of their required rates.
Williamson's immense importance to the team - averaging 186.5 at the Cup, with back-to-back centuries - coupled with the rarity of the breach, means that it is unlikely that such a scenario will occur again, though another incredibly tight clash could keep the over-rate equation firmly in the skipper's mind.
Yesterday's clash was a lengthy game - the West Indies' bowling innings finished nearly 30 minutes behind schedule as well - but the Black Caps' time infringements likely came as a result of their intense discussions and planning at the death when bowling to Carlos Brathwaite.
Williamson wasn't the only Black Cap to take a hit to the wallet yesterday, with every New Zealand player being fined 10 per cent of their match fee for their tardiness.
The Alternative Commentary Collective are podcasting their way through the World Cup. Known for their unconventional sports analysis and off-kilter banter, the ACC have come to ask the tough questions. Here's the latest episode of 'The Agenda':
