Ben Stokes has disclosed a personal conflict with the International Cricket Council over over-rate penalties, including his refusal as England captain to sign the relevant post-match documentation as a protest against the current system. Speaking ahead of the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington, and announcing an unchanged England XI as they aim for an unassailable 2-0 lead, Stokes expressed his discontent with the penalties imposed on both teams for the slow, albeit four-day, series opener in Christchurch. According to ICC rules, Test matches are intended to be played at a rate of 15 overs per hour, with an additional 30 minutes per day allowed to compensate for any shortfall. Both England and New Zealand were found to be three overs short of their targets at Hagley Oval, a situation that Stokes believes does not adequately account for the playing conditions.

"The most frustrating aspect is that this issue varies depending on where you are in the world and the style of cricket played," Stokes said, noting that his team won the first Test with a day and a half to spare. "There is never an over-rate issue in Asia due to the amount of spin bowling. I think there needs to be some consideration given to how over rates differ in seam-dominant Test matches." The system was adjusted during the 2023 Ashes, marking the beginning of the latest World Test Championship cycle, and Stokes stated that he raised concerns at that time. His issue is not with the match referees, but rather with the regulations and the ICC's lack of response to the feedback he provided. As a result, on the three occasions England has been penalized since, Stokes has refused to sign the relevant form.

"I haven't signed an over-rate sheet since the Ashes at Lord's," Stokes said, asserting that his frustrations are shared by other teams. "I won't sign until we receive some communication from the ICC. We're still waiting for that. But they still deduct the fines from you anyway." The argument about conditions is somewhat weakened by the first day in Christchurch, where spinner Shoaib Bashir bowled 20 of the 83 overs England delivered. Similarly, Stokes claimed to "understand" the frustrations of spectators who feel short-changed on such days, insisting it was not deliberate and he would happily play the full 90 overs without a cut-off in countries where evenings are light. The broadcasters may have a different perspective, although the sport is undeniably slowing down. According to this year's Wisden, Test bowlers averaged 20 overs per hour in the 1940s, dropping to 17.72 in the 1960s, 14.09 in the 2000s, and a rate of 13.64 in this decade.

The previous WTC final at the Oval in 2023 saw India lose 100% of their match fees and champions Australia 80%, yet teams continue to struggle. Action has been taken in white-ball cricket: since the start of this year's T20 World Cup, and following a trial, a "stop clock" gives fielding teams 60 seconds to prepare before each over. After two warnings, a third violation results in a five-run penalty. "We're not deliberately slowing down," Stokes added. "It's challenging to find where you can make up the time when you're out in the middle. As a captain, I like to make a lot of changes. The field could be entirely different for each six balls in an over. But that's not taken into consideration, and being told to just hurry up isn't going to fix it."

While England's chances of reaching the next WTC final have been hindered by fluctuating results and past points deductions for slow over-rates, New Zealand entered this three-Test series with the potential to qualify after their historic 3-0 win in India. These prospects have since diminished, although one of their stars in India, spinner Mitch Santner, has rejoined their squad and could feature in Wellington. England has seen no reason to make changes, with Ollie Pope continuing to keep wicket and bat at No 6 despite the arrival of Durham's Ollie Robinson as the more regular gloveman. This means Jacob Bethell remains at No 3, with England also announcing on Wednesday that the 21-year-old has been awarded a two-year central contract. There are also one-year extensions for Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and Matthew Potts that extend to 2026.

Stokes said he expects Pope to return to No 3 when wicketkeeper Jamie Smith returns from paternity leave. And Pope, who has scored three Test centuries this year, might wonder why his suitability for the role attracts so much scrutiny given Zak Crawley's form at opener. Scores of none and one last week made it 23 innings since his last Test century—Old Trafford in 2023—while an average of 9.88 from nine Tests against New Zealand suggests a stranglehold for Matt Henry and Tim Southee. The return to the Basin Reserve comes less than two years after an epic day-five thriller that saw New Zealand claim just the second-ever one-run victory in Test history. Stokes joked about the wide that was not given before Jimmy Anderson was the last wicket to fall—"it was a New Zealand umpire at square leg, wasn't it?" he said, referring to Chris Gaffeney—but his memories of the match remain golden.

Or as recent as Neil Wagner's interview about that day: "The crowd was getting so involved and even though we were the losing side, it was about taking it all in," said Stokes, who became just the fourth captain in history to lose after asking a team to follow-on. "To be involved in a game like that was pretty special." Would he enforce the follow-on if the opportunity arises this week? "It would be easier without [Stuart] Broad and Anderson. It was a decision about 'what would sum the team up and what I am trying to do?' I don't regret doing it. It would be nice to be in that situation and scratching my head again. We will see." Though a thriller, it cost England what would have been a first Test series victory in New Zealand since 2008. Leading 1-0 on this tour with two to play, England has the chance to end his particular drought even before the finale in Hamilton next week.

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