West Indies skipper Holder penalised for slow over rate

Pallekele (Sri Lanka), Nov 3. West Indies captain Jason Holder has been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his side's slow over rate during the first One-Day International (ODI) in Colombo. Holder pleaded guilty to his second slow over rate offence in the past 12 months and, as such, has been banned for Wednesday's second ODI against Sri Lanka.

Holder's West Indies side were ruled to be two overs short of their target during Sri Lanka's thrilling one-wicket victory in Colombo on Sunday, the ICC said in a statement on its official website on Tuesday. In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC's code of conduct, the visitors were fined 20 per cent of their match fees -- 10 per cent for each over they failed to bowl in the alloted time -- while skipper Holder was fined double that amount.

Holder was found guilty of maintaining a slow over rate during the fifth ODI against Sri Lanka in January, meaning he was also handed a suspension for his second similar offence inside a 12-month period. The penalty was handed down by former Australia batsman and ICC match referee David Boon.

(IANS)