CC decision to ban Windies captain for slow over rate deemed as ridiculous
Test legend Shane Warne has led a chorus of international criticism over the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to impose a one-match ban on West Indies captain Jason Holder for a slow over-rate in the just-concluded second Test in Antigua.
The ICC announced yesterday that West Indies had been two overs short of their required quota during the contest at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium which West Indies won emphatically by 10 wickets with two days to spare.
Holder, as captain, was fined 40 per cent of his match fee — double that of his players — and slapped with the ban, as the breach was the second for the Windies in the last 12 months. He will now miss the final Test starting next weekend in St Lucia.
“The test didn’t go 3 days — can you please appeal this @JaseHolder98!” tweeted Warne, the Austalian spin bowling great who claimed 708 victims from 145 test matches.
“What a ridiculous decision — where’s the common sense here ? Ps Congrats on a wonderful series win too. International cricket needs a strong Windies team & hopefully this is just the start.”
He added: “The fans at the ground saw some awesome cricket from you & your team. No one at the ground would have felt short-changed whatsoever. What a ridiculous decision, & I hope this will be overturned!”
Former England captain Michael Vaughn also slammed the ICC’s decision as “bonkers”, arguing the fact the match lasted less than three days, this made the over-rate breach irrelevant.
“For a game that finished inside 3 days I find this absolutely bonkers…,” said Vaughn, who scored over 5700 runs from 82 Tests.
The ICC said Holder did not contest the charge and as a result, no formal hearing was needed.
West Indies face England in the final Test starting Saturday, having already won the series and reclaimed the coveted Wisden Trophy.