Johannesburg, Jan.18 (ANI): The England team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during its defeat to South Africa in the fourth and last Test in Johannesburg.

AN ICC press release said Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees imposed the fines after Andrew Strauss’s side was ruled to be one over short of its target at the end of the match when time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with the new ICC Code of Conduct regulations governing minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.

As such, Strauss was fined 20 per cent of his match fee while his players received 10-per-cent fines. If Strauss is found guilty of two further minor over-rate offences in Tests over the next 12 months, he will receive a one-match suspension as per the provisions of the new, enhanced ICC Code of Conduct.

The penalty was accepted by Strauss without contest so there was no need for a hearing. (ANI)