Maintaining the minimum over rate in Test matches is essential for teams competing in the World Test Championship (WTC). With time such an important factor in Test matches, the minimum number of overs to be bowled in a game is very important, especially when it can affect results.
Failure to meet these requirements can lead to point deductions that impact a team’s WTC standings.
Here's how over-rate penalties are applied, how points are deducted, and what it means for the WTC points table.
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How many overs should be bowled in a day in Test matches?
If there are no unforeseen delays like rain or bad light, there is expected to be 90 overs of play in a day in a Test match. Given that a day has six hours of play, the minimum over rate expected from teams is 15 overs per hour.
That translates to 450 overs to be bowled if all five days are played in a game. When teams fail to meet these standards, penalties are imposed by the ICC.
READ: Vaughan questions over-rate rules; calls decision inconsistent
How are over rate penalties calculated?
The rules of the World Test Championship dictate that teams must maintain a minimum over rate of 15 overs per hour during Test matches.
Umpires calculate the actual over rate at the end of a match based on both innings of the fielding team. Several allowances, such as medical treatment, player injuries, third umpire referrals, time lost due to batting side delays, and wickets taken, are factored into this calculation.
If a team fails to meet the required over rate, a penalty is imposed. For every over that a team falls short of the required rate, they incur a penalty over, and one WTC point is deducted from their total.
For example, if a team's over rate during a Test is 14 overs per hour, they are short of the minimum rate of 15 overs by 1 over. This will lead to one point deduction.
More: Race to WTC Final 2027: Latest updated points table
How does it affect the WTC points table?
The points system in the World Test Championship is structured to reward teams based on their match results. Teams earn 12 points for a win, 6 points for a tie, and 4 points for a draw.
The percentage of points a team earns (POP) determines their rank in the WTC standings. POP is calculated by comparing the points earned to the total possible points a team could have earned in the series.
However, if a team incurs over rate penalties, their points are reduced. Each over that falls short of the required rate leads to a deduction of one WTC point.
This can significantly reduce a team’s overall WTC points, and in a closely contested tournament, where every point matters, such penalties impact a team's final standing.
A reduced points tally may cost a team a place in the WTC final, making over rate penalties a serious concern for teams.
Latest updated World Test Championship 2025-27 points table
| Rank | Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Draws | N/R | Points (PT) | Percentage (PCT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 100.00 |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 66.67 |
| 3 | England | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 61.1 |
| 4 | India | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 33.33 |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 16.67 |
| 6 | West Indies | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 7 | New Zealand | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 8 | Pakistan | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 9 | South Africa | - | - | - | - | - |