‘Abb toh West Indies bhi aage nikal gayi’ – Fans react as Australia and England lose points due to slow over rate during Ashes

While the Ashes 2023 didn’t have a winner, the ‘Urn’ stays in possession of the Aussie man. Australia took an early lead in the series, winning the first two games. However, England made a great comeback in the third Test at Headingley. They were on the brink of drawing the series in the fourth Test at Manchester when rain decided to play spoilsport for the hosts. They won the final game, drawing the series. But Australia successfully retained the Urn for the fourth consecutive time.

While it was an amazing series full of entertainment, it came back to haunt both teams with deductions over slow over rates. Under the revised provisions by the Apex Cricket Council, the two teams were fined five percent of their match fee and one point deduction for every slow over. While Australia lost 10 points over their violations in the series, England lost a massive 19 points. Any team earns 12 points for every game won, four for a draw, and no points for a loss. The regulation for overs bowled in 90 per day.

Pakistan lead the WTC 2023-25 standings

England were short by two overs in Test 1 at Edgbaston, nine at Lord’s, three at Old Trafford, and five in the final Test at the Oval, London. Australia, on the other hand, were short by 10 overs in the Manchester Test. Talking of the series, it was closely fought and ended in a 2-2 stalemate between the two stalwarts of Test Cricket. Mitchell Starc was awarded the ‘Player of the Series’ award for his exceptional bowling.

Talking of the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle’s standings, Pakistan lead the table with 100% having won both their Tests against Sri Lanka. They are followed by India with 66.67%, courtesy of a win and a draw in the two Tests vs West Indies. Australia are at 30%, having won two, lost two, and drawn one game in Ashes 2023. Surprisingly, West Indies (16.67%) are ahead of England (15%) with the point deductions playing their part.

Here’s how fans reacted:

https://twitter.com/RahulSh24082787/status/1686685394673586176

https://twitter.com/CYANIIIV/status/1686680015583551488