England’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final have taken another heavy blow, with Brendon McCullum’s side sanctioned for a slow over-rate during the second Test against New Zealand.

On Monday morning AEST, the ICC announced that England had been fined 50 per cent of their match fee and penalised 12 World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate during the 253-run loss at The Oval.

Watch England vs India T20 & ODI Series LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 >

Match referee Andy Pycroft found that England were 12 overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration, while captain Joe Root pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction.

McCullum’s side was also deducted two WTC points for a slow over-rate during last year’s third Test against India at Lord’s.

Following the latest penalty, England’s percentage on the WTC standings dropped from 34.72 to 26.39, with the nation sitting in seventh position ahead of Pakistan and the West Indies.

England has never qualified for a World Test Championship final, while the team has not won a Test series against India or Australia since McCullum took charge in 2022.

During the current World Test Championship cycle, England has only won four of their 12 matches, including a humiliating 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia.

England was docked 22 points for slow over-rates during the previous World Test Championship cycle in 2023-2025, with captain Ben Stokes blaming the team’s reliance on fast bowlers compared to Asian nations, where conditions suit spinners.

“The most frustrating thing is it’s an issue depending on where you are in the world and the style of cricket that’s played,” Stokes said in 2024.

“There is never an over-rate issue in Asia because of how much spin is bowled. I think there needs to be some consideration around how over rates differ when it’s a seam-dominant Test match.”

He added: “We’re not purposely being slower. It’s hard to find where you can get the time back when you’re out in the middle. As a captain, I like to change things quite a lot. The field could be completely different six balls in an over. But that’s not taken into consideration and getting told to just hurry up isn’t going to fix it.”

The third and final Test between England and New Zealand gets underway at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge on Thursday at 8pm AEST.

Late wickets give England edge on day 1 | 01:01

WTC STANDINGS

Correct as of July 22, 2026

1. Australia — 87.50%

2. South Africa — 75.00%

3. Sri Lanka — 66.67%

4. New Zealand — 66.67%

5. Bangladesh — 58.33%

6. India — 48.15%

7. England — 26.39%

8. Pakistan — 8.33%

9. West Indies — 4.17%