Cricket: Windies fined over slow rate during New Zealand defeat

The West Indies cricket time have been fined for maintaining a slow over rate in the second Test against New Zealand, following their 240-run defeat today.

This is the second straight game in which Windies have been found wanting with their over rate.

They were fined, and captain Jason Holder suspended, after being found three overs short in the first Test.

The stand-in captain, Kraigg Brathwaite has been fined 40% of his match fee, while his players have received 20%fines, the ICC confirmed.

Windies' problems with slow over rate isn't a new one.

Their regular captain Holder was suspended for the second Test owing to his team's poor over-rate during the first Test in Wellington that the hosts won by an innings and 67 runs.

As well as his forced absence, the all-rounder was also fined 60% of his match fee, while his teammates had to forgo 30% of theirs.

Brathwaite took over as captain for the second Test, which saw New Zealand wrap up the two-Test series 2-0, but the result nor the over-rate took a turn for the better.

The visitors were found two overs short of their target, as they slumped to a loss on the fourth day.

Match referee Chris Broad ruled that the visitors were two overs short of their target, and hence imposed the fines.

Brathwaite pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing, the ICC added.

If Brathwaite, as captain, is found guilty of slow over rate again within a 12-month period, he would have to cop a one-match ban too.