England fined 40% of match fee for maintaining slow over-rate against New Zealand

The entire English team has been fined 40 percent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand.

International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee, Chris Broad found Joe Root-led side falling short two overs with the given duration.

"In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offenses, players are fined 20 percent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time," the ICC said in a statement.

"Root pleaded guilty to the offense and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Michael Gough and Richard Kettleborough, third umpire Richard Illingworth and fourth umpire Mike Burns leveled the charge," ICC added.

The home side managed to secure a draw against New Zealand in the first Test match when they were asked to chase a total of 273 runs in 75 overs on the final day. Dom Sibley scored a half-century which guided England to a draw.