New Zealand were fined for slow over-rate during their game against West Indies on Saturday. The Black Caps held their nerve to win the game by just 5 runs at the end.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the New Zealand team were fined for the offense. Captain Kane Williamson was fined 20 percent of his match fee. On the other hand, all other team members were fined 10 percent of their match fee.
The ICC Statement revealed New Zealand were one over short of their target after time allowances were taken into consideration. Kane Williamson accepted the sanction after pleaded guilty of slow over rate offence. Match referee David Boon has sanctioned the match fee cut after this.
Should New Zealand face slow over-rate fine once again, Kane Williamson will face suspension. This would then be a major blow for the Kiwis ahead of the important phase of the World Cup.
On the other hand, New Zealand bowlers were taken to cleaners by Carlos Brathwaite on Saturday. The talented all-rounder almost single-handedly won the game for West Indies.
However, he was caught at long-on boundary with West Indies needing just 6 runs to win. The match is undoubtedly the most exciting one in this world cup. But New Zealand managed to hold their nerves at the right moment.
The win against West Indies propelled New Zealand to the top of the table.
The Blackcaps are currently position at number 1 with 11 points from six matches. New Zealand won all the five games they played in. Meanwhile, they shared one point with India after their match got washed out.
The Kiwis are looking in fine form and are on their way to semifinals. However, they are yet to face one of Australia, India, and England in this world cup. So, playing against one of these major sides and winning against them would give New Zealand a major boost to their confidence.
New Zealand will play Pakistan on Wednesday at Edgbaston. The team are already on course to semifinals. If they can manage one more win in their last three matches, they will qualify regardless of other results.