England fined five Test Championship points for slow over rate

England have been fined 100% of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first Ashes Test at Gabba in Brisbane. The visitors were also docked five Test Championship points for the same. Match referee David Boon found England 5 overs short of the target, even after considering the time allowance. Article 2.22 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel charges players 20% of their match fee for every over the team falls short.

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Meanwhile, Travis Head was also fined 15% by the match officials for using inappropriate language. The southpaw breached Article 2.3 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, relating to “use of an audible obscenity during an International Match.” He also received one demit point, which was his first offence. An accumulation of the four points in two years will result in a ban of one Test or two limited-overs games.

It was a forgettable match for the visitors as Australia cruised to a nine-wicket victory on Day 4. England finished Day 3 on 220 for two, with Dawid Malan and Joe Root unbeaten on 80 and 86. A lot hinged on the pair to make Australia bat again and even give themselves a chance of a remarkable win. Unfortunately, that was not to be as the visitors' lot Malan early in the day.

Skipper Root soon followed his partner which triggered a collapse as England folded out for 298. The hosts needed only 20 runs to seal the first Test and they did in style, losing just Alex Carey.

It was a memorable Test match for Nathan Lyon as he picked up his 400th wicket. He became just the 17th bowler to do. Carey also etched his name into record books as he became the first wicketkeeper-batter to take eight catches on Test debut.