Australia faces heavy fine after loss to Bangladesh

Australia's defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test in Darwin has come with further consequences. Pat Cummins' side has been found guilty of a slow over-rate.

On the third day, Australia bowled 86 overs, four short of the minimum 90 overs required in six hours. According to ICC rules, each team must maintain an over-rate of at least 15 overs per hour in Tests.

The ICC can deduct World Test Championship points for such violations, along with imposing fines on players. The penalty is five percent of the match fee for each over short.

As Australian players receive A$20,000 per Test, a five percent deduction means A$1,000 per over. For four overs, the total fine will be A$4,000 per player, bringing the total to A$44,000 for the XI — equivalent to approximately Tk 38.38 lakh. Australia could also lose four WTC points.

Australia currently top the table with 84 points and a 77.78 percent points percentage, but the points deduction would reduce them to 80, though the percentage points would remain unchanged.

The ICC rules state that a team is exempt from the penalty if they bowl out the opposition in under 80 overs in an innings, or under 160 overs combined. In the first innings, Bangladesh batted for 138 overs, meaning Australia remain at risk. The match referee will consider factors such as the hot weather and wicket falls before deciding on a penalty.

Australia had previously lost four points for a slow over-rate in the 2020 Boxing Day Test, which contributed to their failure to reach the 2021 WTC final.