England and Australia fined and cut two WTC points for slow over-rates

All 22 players have also lost 40% of their match fees Joe Root now top of Test batting rankings

England and Australia have been fined 40% of their match fees and deducted two World Test Championship points for slow over-rates in their thrilling Ashes opener at Edgbaston.

Despite serving up a breathless finale in Birmingham, where the tourists snatched a two-wicket victory on a see-saw fifth evening, both teams have been punished for failing to get through their overs quickly enough. The captains Ben Stokes and Pat Cummins pled guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for formal hearings, the International Cricket Council said.

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