England Cricket Team Faces Heavy Penalty After Test Defeat Against New Zealand

The England cricket team has suffered a significant setback after being penalized by the ICC for a slow over rate during their recent Test match against New Zealand. This penalty has resulted in a deduction of 12 points from their World Test Championship tally, dropping them to seventh place. The team, led by Joe Root, faced a heavy defeat by 253 runs, with Root scoring his 14,000th run in Test cricket. Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are set to return for the final Test of the series following a disciplinary hearing related to their conduct. Read on to find out more about the implications of this penalty and the team's upcoming challenges.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 22, 2026, 08:45 IST

England's Setback in World Test Championship

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed a significant penalty on the England cricket team following their second Test match against New Zealand. England has lost 12 points from their World Test Championship (WTC) total due to a slow over rate, finishing 12 overs short during the match. This deduction has dropped England to 38 points, placing them seventh in the WTC standings, with their points percentage falling from 34.72 to 26.38. This loss, coupled with the penalty, is a considerable setback for the team.

Under the captaincy of Joe Root, England faced a heavy defeat by 253 runs. After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, they conceded 391 runs and managed only 291 in their first innings, giving New Zealand a 100-run lead. New Zealand then scored 362 runs in their second innings, setting a daunting target of 463 runs. England was bowled out for 209 runs, resulting in a 253-run loss. Joe Root scored 123 runs in the match, marking his 14,000th run in Test cricket.

Ben Stokes is set to return as captain for the third and final Test of the series, with Root playing under him once again. Gus Atkinson has also been recalled to the squad after both players were omitted from the second Test due to a nightclub incident.

ECB Releases Statement on Player Conduct

The England Cricket Board (ECB) has issued a statement regarding the inclusion of Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson in the Test squad. The statement confirmed their return for the third Rothesay Test against New Zealand following an ECB disciplinary hearing concerning their behavior on June 8. The ECB found that both players had violated specific contractual obligations requiring them to uphold the highest standards of conduct and act in the best interests of England cricket.

As a result of their actions, they were not considered for selection in the second Rothesay Test and received a written warning regarding their conduct. However, the ECB concluded that neither player was to blame for any violent conduct at the nightclub, clarifying that Stokes did not witness the altercation and that Atkinson was the victim of unprovoked attacks, refraining from retaliation.